What is Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Spur Syndrome?
Plantar Fasciits is a common overuse injury. The classic symptoms are pain at the bottom and / or side of the heel, usually present during the first few steps you take in the morning. It tends to ease until the next time you rest, sit or drive and returns when you try to stand on your feet. If left untreated, this pain can become constant, even hurting at rest. For many this pain can be so severe that it interferes with their daily work and leisure activities.

What Causes Heel Pain?
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by a mechanical imbalance in the foot called over-pronation. This causes the foot to roll inwards forcing the arch to the ground and exerting excessive tension on the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong, inflexible, fibrous band that inserts at the heel and then spreads out to connect at the base of the toes. Its function is to support the foot, but with the constant pulling with each step, it tears away from the heel bone resulting in inflammation, swelling and pain. This may result in the formation of a heel spur which can be identified on x-ray. The spur itself is the result of chronic inflammation in that area but is not the cause of pain.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs from overuse or excessive stress on the plantar fascia. Some of the factors that contribute to the added stress include:

1. A flattening of the arches over time
2. Tightness in your calf muscles
3. An increase in activity level, especially if you have not been active for a period of time
4. An increase in body weight
5. Wearing improper shoes for your foot shape or shoes that are worn out
6. Jumping or stepping down onto a hard surface
7. Standing in one spot or standing on a ladder for prolonged periods

Will My Pain Go Away?
Many people wait to seek medical attention, hoping that their foot pain will go away. This is not usually the case with heel pain and if it does go away, it often returns much worse than the first episode. The pain can progress rapidly so treatment should be started early as possible. The longer this condition is left untreated, the more difficult it is to treat. Prescription orthotics are important for the long-term relieve of heel pain.

What is the best type of shoe to buy for treating Plantar Fasciitis?
There is no one shoe that is best for you to wear to help resolve your help pain. It is however necessary to have supportive shoes on all the time to allow the plantar fascia to rest and heal. In general, the shoe should bend across the ball of the foot (not back in the arch), offer good shock absorption and have a solid heel counter. Check out the 3 tests to do with any walking shoe. See our recommended shoe list which is based on your foot type.