Plantar fascia is a thin layer of subcutaneous tissue lying just beneath the skin of the sole of your foot. It supports the overall arch of your foot and provides the connection between heel bone and the foot. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this plantar fascia which is accompanied with pain and limits ability to walk. The fascia may sustain injury acutely as a result of trauma due to over exertion of feet such as in sports personnel or soldiers or from various injuries collected over time.
Causes of plantar fasciitis:
1. Individuals with high body weight.
2. Strenuous exercise may lead to tiny ruptures with subsequent inflammation and pain.
3. People who routinely wear high heel shoes particularly women are at high risk.
4. An active lifestyle as demanded by various professions where the person is required to be on his feet for prolonged duration such as sports etc.
5. Muscle build up of some people naturally has very tight calf muscles which are not very flexible and a little overuse might lead to serious damage.
6. Having flat feet directly increases the risk for fasciitis and that is why flat foot individuals are rarely accepted into any vigorously physical programs.
7. Small changes in daily physical activity may also lead to this condition.
Major Symptoms:
- Pain in the under surface of the feet which may be unilateral or bilateral accompanied with underlying inflammation.
- Pain can be sharp or dull.
- Pain can be acute (sudden in onset) or develop slowly over time depending on the cause of injury.
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