Plantar Fasciitis

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Basics

Description

  • Degenerative change of plantar fascia at origin on medial tuberosity of calcaneus
  • Pain on plantar surface, usually at calcaneal insertion of plantar fascia upon weight-bearing, especially in morning or on initiation of walking after prolonged rest
  • Also referred to as: plantar fasciosis, plantar heel pain syndrome, heel spur syndrome, plantar fasciopathy, painful heel syndrome

Epidemiology

Prevalence
  • Most common cause of plantar heel pain
  • Lifetime: 10–15% of population
  • Peak incidence between ages 40 and 60 years, earlier peak in runners

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Repetitive microtrauma and collagen degeneration of plantar fascia
  • Chronic degenerative change (-osis/-opathy rather than -itis) of plantar fascia generally at insertion on medial tuberosity of calcaneus

Risk Factors

  • Intrinsic
    • Age (>40 to 60 years)
    • Female, pregnancy
    • Obesity (BMI >30)
    • Pes planus (flat feet), pes cavus (high arch), overpronation, leg length discrepancy
    • Hamstring, calf, and Achilles tightness
    • Calf and intrinsic foot muscle weakness
    • Decreased ankle range of motion with dorsiflexion (equinus or tight heel cord; <15 degrees of dorsiflexion)
    • Systemic connective tissue disorders
  • Extrinsic
    • Dancers, runners, court sport athletes
    • Occupations with prolonged standing, especially on hard surfaces (nurses, letter carriers, warehouse/factory workers)
    • Overuse and rapid increase in activities involving repetitive loading

General Prevention

  • Maintain normal body weight.
  • Avoid prolonged standing on bare feet, in sandals, or in slippers.
  • Avoid training errors (increasing intensity, distance, duration, and frequency of high-impact activities too rapidly); avoid overtraining.
  • Proper footwear (appropriate cushion/arch support)
  • Runners should replace footwear every 250 to 500 miles.

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Usually isolated
  • Heel spurs common but not a marker of severity
  • Posterior tibial neuropathy

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Basics

Description

  • Degenerative change of plantar fascia at origin on medial tuberosity of calcaneus
  • Pain on plantar surface, usually at calcaneal insertion of plantar fascia upon weight-bearing, especially in morning or on initiation of walking after prolonged rest
  • Also referred to as: plantar fasciosis, plantar heel pain syndrome, heel spur syndrome, plantar fasciopathy, painful heel syndrome

Epidemiology

Prevalence
  • Most common cause of plantar heel pain
  • Lifetime: 10–15% of population
  • Peak incidence between ages 40 and 60 years, earlier peak in runners

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Repetitive microtrauma and collagen degeneration of plantar fascia
  • Chronic degenerative change (-osis/-opathy rather than -itis) of plantar fascia generally at insertion on medial tuberosity of calcaneus

Risk Factors

  • Intrinsic
    • Age (>40 to 60 years)
    • Female, pregnancy
    • Obesity (BMI >30)
    • Pes planus (flat feet), pes cavus (high arch), overpronation, leg length discrepancy
    • Hamstring, calf, and Achilles tightness
    • Calf and intrinsic foot muscle weakness
    • Decreased ankle range of motion with dorsiflexion (equinus or tight heel cord; <15 degrees of dorsiflexion)
    • Systemic connective tissue disorders
  • Extrinsic
    • Dancers, runners, court sport athletes
    • Occupations with prolonged standing, especially on hard surfaces (nurses, letter carriers, warehouse/factory workers)
    • Overuse and rapid increase in activities involving repetitive loading

General Prevention

  • Maintain normal body weight.
  • Avoid prolonged standing on bare feet, in sandals, or in slippers.
  • Avoid training errors (increasing intensity, distance, duration, and frequency of high-impact activities too rapidly); avoid overtraining.
  • Proper footwear (appropriate cushion/arch support)
  • Runners should replace footwear every 250 to 500 miles.

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Usually isolated
  • Heel spurs common but not a marker of severity
  • Posterior tibial neuropathy

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