Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia.

The plantar fascia is thick connective tissue. It attaches to the calcaneus at the heel, travels along the sole of the foot and branches out to connect to the flexor tendons of the toes.

Risk factors:

• Running
• Obesity
• Presence of equinus (limited dorsiflexion)
• Age - 40 to 60 years
• Pes planus/pes cavus
• Hx of prolonged standing

PC

• Unilateral Heel pain (stabbing/knife-like) -
  • May radiate to lateral heel
  • Relieved by rest, NSAID use
• Post-static dyskinesia (pain with first few steps after rising)

Management

1st line - Rest and manage precipitating factors (e.g. obesity, avoid weight-bearing activity) + stretching

Adjuncts:

• NSAIDs
• corticosteroid injections (painful and can cause rupture of plantar fascia or fat pad atrophy)
• Foot splints and immobilisation