musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Plantar Fasciitis
Introduction
Plantar fasciitis is pain at the site of the attachment of the plantar fascia and the calcaneus (calcaneal enthesopathy), with or without accompanying pain along the medial band of the plantar fascia. Diagnosis is mainly clinical. Treatment involves Achilles tendon and plantar soft-tissue foot-stretching exercises, night splints, orthotics, and shoes with appropriate heel elevation. (See also Overview of Foot and Ankle Disorders .) Syndromes of pain in the plantar fascia have been called plantar fasciitis; however, because there is usually no inflammation, plantar fasciitis is more correct. Other terms used include calcaneal enthesopathy pain or calcaneal spur syndrome; however, there may be no bone spurs on the calcaneus. Plantar fasciitis may involve acute or chronic stretching, tearing, and degeneration of the fascia at its attachment site. 