Q: What is Plantar Fasciitis ?

A: The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous sheet of tissue, on the underside of the foot, which attaches to the heel bone (calcaneous at one end and the toes on the other. It is this sheet of tissue that gives the foot its characteristic arch. When this tissue becomes sore and swollen, it is called Plantar Fasciitis.

Often plantar fasciitis results from pulling forces on the planter fascia right where it attaches to the heel bone, and can cause severe pain. Often the pain worsens over time, and leads to 'heel spurs' due to formation of bone at the attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone.

Q: What Sports are most likely to cause plantar fasciitis ?

A: Sports which require full weight bearing, and especially repetitive foot landing (running) are the most likely to cause plantar Fasciitis. In addition, poor footware, running on hills, running on the toes, and running in very soft terrain can aggravate the problem.

Q: What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis ?

A: Plantar fasciitis often begins with a dull ache at the heel, which comes and goes from time to time. Eventually, the pain may be present at all times: often worse in the morning, or when first beginning an athletic activity.

Q: Can Surgery be Helpful for Plantar Fasciitis ?

A: As with most sport injuries, surgery is usually necessary only after other treatments have failed. In the rare case when rest, physiotherapy, home exercise, and anti-inflammatory medications are unable to relieve the symptoms, some patients may decide to go on to have surgery.

The surgical treatment usually involves simply cutting the fascia, so that no stress is placed on the junction between the fascia and the heel bone. This will often leave the foot more 'flat footed' than before, but it may relieve the pain significantly.