Some patients may have trauma or a stress fracture of the heel. The plantar fascia is a broad ligament-like structure on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch of the foot. It runs from the toes all the way back to the heel. Patients with plantar fasciitis typically have pain and inflammation at the site where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. It's fairly clear that the heel spur is not causing the pain, but rather, the pain is the result of inflammation at the site where this ligament attaches to the bone.
Traditional treatments begin with modification of activity.
Patients are urged to take it easy for a while and limit those activities that make the pain worse. Many doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. Often they recommend soft-soled shoes or heel pads or prescribe foot orthotics for patients with persistent pain. These patients tend to have an associated tightness in the heel cord. In many cases, patients with plantar fasciitis will experience heel pain for up to a year or more, but once it runs its course, the pain usually goes away.