Plantar fasciitis is a very painful condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous connective tissue that runs alongside the bottom of the foot. Short term cases of the condition are referred to as plantar fasciitis, while longstanding instances of it, are categorized as plantar fasicossis. The latter is a chronic and degenerative form of the condition but without inflammation.
More than 2 million Americans develop plantar fasciitis each year with nearly 10% developing it over the course of their lifetime. It most often affects athletic persons, those who are active and individuals that spend a lot of time on their feet. In non-athletes, the condition generally develops in people with a high body mass index.
Plantar fasciitis, is particularly painful upon awakening and after a person has been sitting awhile after activity. Overtime, a loss of flexibility in the ankles and pain in knees may develop if the condition is not sufficiently treated.
A plantar fasciitis diagnosis needs to made by a physician. Only he or she will be knowledgeable enough to definitively make this diagnosis. The examination may involve the patient walking under the watch of his or her doctor. The physician will check the patient’s feet , ask them about their medical history, activity level and symptoms. In some instances, an ultrasound, MRI or radiograph may be ordered.
