Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a condition wherein pain is felt at the heel and underside of the foot. It is commonly termed as plantar fasciopathy or jogger's heel. Others use the term heel spur syndrome because a bone or spur emerges from the point where the plantar fascia connects to the heel bone due to chronic fasciitis in the area. In fact it is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Age is a big factor in the development of plantar fasciitis. In fact, this condition is common among the aging population because of the emergence of degenerative diseases. Degenerative means deterioration of the different parts of the body as well as their functions. Plantar fasciitis is more common in people who are overweight or obese. The body is capable of bearing the weight at certain levels only. The more the weight of the person, the more prone are their bones and muscles to injuries.
There are some exercises or activities that pose a lot of tension, pressure and stress on the heel and supporting muscles of the feet. Certain exercises like ballet dancing and running can cause plantar fasciitis.
When a person has a high arch or a flat foot and has a tight Achilles tendon or calf muscles, can eventually cause plantar fasciitis. Some individuals have poor foot biomechanics that poses stress on the plantar fascia while others who have flat feet or high arch causes weak muscle control.
Generally, the main reason of the condition is due to microscopic tears or microtrauma that causes due damage to the calcaneal-fascial interface. This is caused by the persistent stress or weight bearing injury on the fascia and adjacent aspects. Due to this damage to the plantar fascia, pain is at its peak in the first steps in the morning or after a long period of inactivity.
One of the major causes of plantar fasciitis is the degeneration process that comes with age. Degenerative changes in the muscles, tissues and organs play a major role why older people are more prone to disease and certain conditions. In the foot, fibroblastic hypertrophy, decreased circulation, vascular hyperplasia and reduced inflammatory cells happen as a result of the degenerative process. For many studies, it shows that this condition is more of a degenerative disease rather than an inflammatory facet. This is due to the chronic overuse of the planter region of the feet.
Another pathophysiologic cause of plantar fasciitis is the degeneration of collagen. Collagen plays a major role in making the muscles strong, sturdy and elastic enough to withstand pressure and weight bearing. When a person grows older, collagen production is reduced. Hence, many conditions in the musculoskeletal and even in the dermal areas are affected.