Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain affecting around 2 million people each year. It happens when the tissue supporting the arch of your foot gets irritated and inflamed. This tissue, called the plantar fascia, connects your heel to the front of your foot.
The main causes of plantar fasciitis are excessive pressure and strain on the feet, often from activities like walking, running, or playing sports. Factors that can increase your risk include starting new activities, doing repetitive high-impact exercises, standing for long periods on hard surfaces, having flat feet or high arches, tight calf muscles, being overweight, and aging (typically between 40 to 60 years old).
Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain, especially in the morning or after long periods of rest, which usually eases after walking a bit. Pain often increases after exercise rather than during it.
When you see a doctor for plantar fasciitis, they’ll check for signs like a high arch or flat foot, tenderness on the bottom of your foot near the heel, and limited upward movement in your ankle. They’ll also rule out other possible causes of heel pain, like Achilles tendonitis or stress fractures in the heel bone.
