Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition.  It occurs when connective tissue at the bottom of the foot, called the plantar fascia, is irritated and inflamed.  The condition commonly occurs among people who spend a lot of time on their feet.  Heel pain that occurs in the morning upon wakening is a hallmark sign of plantar fasciitis.  Fortunately, for the majority of people, symptoms are relieved with non-surgical treatments.

The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue located on the bottom of the foot.  It extends from the heel to the ball of the foot.  The plantar fascia maintains the arch of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by structural problems in the foot.  People with flat feet have an extra long plantar fascia, and people with high arches have a short plantar fascia, which makes them prone to plantar fasciitis.  Sudden weight gain, obesity, and prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces contribute to the condition.

Plantar fasciitis can cause significant heel pain.  The pain is usually worse in the morning upon awakening, following rest, or after being on your feet for long periods of time.  The pain may subside after walking or stretching, which helps relax the plantar fascia.

Your podiatrist will review your medical history and examine your foot.  You should tell your doctor about your symptoms and the amount of time that you spend on your feet.  X-rays, bone scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be used to show more information about your foot structure and identify the location and size of a heel spur.