Plantar fasciitis is a disease that arises due to an inflammatory process that occurs in the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot, with the area that causes pain originating from the point of attachment to the calcaneus (heel bone). There are many different sources of pain in the plantar heel apart from the plantar fascia which is why the term “Plantar Heel Pain” is commonly used to describe this case and the pathology of the disease associated with it. It consists of longitudinally organized white fibrous connective tissue originating from the periosteum of the medial calcaneal tubercle, where it is thinner but extends to a thicker middle. In the middle, the thicker plantar fascia then extends into five bands that surround the flexor tendons as they pass through the five metatarsal heads. The Plantaris fascia also fuses with the paratenon of the Achilles tendon, the intrinsic muscles of the foot, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. The thick, coelastic multilobular fat pad is responsible for absorbing up to 110% of body weight during walking and 250% during running and is deformed the most during barefoot walking compared to walking in shoes.
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury primarily caused by repetitive strain causing micro-tears in the plantar fascia but can occur as a result of trauma or other multifactorial causes. Pain in the plantar fascia may be insertion and/or non-insertion and may involve the greater central band, but may also involve the medial and lateral bands of the plantar fascia.
There are several causes, including:
Age: generally occurs in individuals aged 40-70 years.
Obesity: Being overweight can put too much pressure on the plantar fascia.
Exercise: types of exercise that put a lot of pressure on the heels, such as long-distance running, aerobics, and ballet.
Occupation: Teachers, factory workers, athletes, soldiers, and other professions whose jobs require them to stand for long periods of time are more at risk for plantar fasciitis.
Foot problems: someone who has feet that are too flat or too curved
Type of shoe: The use of shoes that do not support the sole of the foot well, or the use of high heels can also increase the risk of plantar fasciitis.
The symptoms that arise are:
Pain in the heel / foot pain
Pain that feels like a stinging or burning feeling
Heel pain in the morning
Pain can also be felt more after (not during) physical activity
Pain when getting up from sitting, or when standing for a long time
For therapy performed
Pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and swelling
Undergo physiotherapy, to stretch the plantar fascia and strengthen the ankle and heel muscles
Using leg braces (splints)
Using special shoe soles (orthotics), to distribute the load evenly on the feet