The plantar fascia is the name for the ligament that is located along the bottom of your foot. The ligament connects the front of your foot and the heel and supports the arch. It absorbs stress, but like other ligaments, it can only withstand so much. If it takes on too much pressure, the ligament can tear or sustain other damage. This leads to inflammation, which makes the heel stiff and painful. The pain is often the strongest right after getting out of bed or after long periods of sitting.
Athletes are extremely susceptible to this injury because they engage in repetitive activities. You can also increase the risk of plantar fasciitis if you take on a new activity or increase the duration of a current activity. In addition, if you have tight calf muscles, have a high arch, or are obese, you are at a greater risk for this.
If you do have plantar fasciitis, there are lots of non-surgical treatment options available. Medications, stretches, supportive shoes, and physical therapy are all viable options. Our team will design a treatment protocol to address your specific situation.