Plantar fasciitis (calcaneal spur)

The plantar fascia is the ligament than begins at the calcaneus (heel bone) and is attached to the ligaments that are connected to the toes. If the plantar fascia is stretched or hit, it may get irritated and painful. Most often the plantar fascia is irritated at the attachment point, which is under the heel. Also an ankle that rotates inward (overpronation), a collapsed interior longitudinal arch or a stiff calf muscle may cause pain in the plantar fascia. Sometimes the X-ray may reveal a bone spur (osteophyte) at the attachment point of the plantar fascia. A bone spur is the consequence of irritation, and even people with no symptoms may suffer from it.

The poor foot alignment can be corrected with orthotics, which will also relieve the pain in the plantar fascia. The plantar fasciitis is treated by stretching the plantar fascia and the calf muscle and by reducing the strain. The pain area can also be treated with physical therapy or with a cortisone injection. In addition, the physician may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in order to stop continual inflammations.