Plantar fasciitis – more accurately described in modern literature as plantar fasciopathy or plantar heel pain — is a load-related disorder of the plantar fascia at or near its attachment to the calcaneus that produces localized heel/arch pain, especially on the first steps after rest.
It commonly presents with a sharp or aching pain localized to the medial plantar heel which is worst with the first steps after waking or prolonged sitting. This often improves with some activity but worsens again with prolonged walking or excessive activity.
Plantar fasciitis is often treatable with rest, proper supportive footwear, load-management, foot orthotics, stretching and strengthening exercises of the foot and ankle muscles as well as shock wave therapy and taping techniques.
