The foot is a complicated body part that puts up with a lot of abuse. The average person walks about 100,000 miles in a lifetime. Seventy-five percent of Americans will experience foot problems at one time or another.

One of the most common foot problems is plantar fasciitis.

Connecting the heel bone to your toes, the plantar fascia ligament is a thick band of tissue that supports the foot’s arch and aids walking. The ligament absorbs a huge amount of force each day, as much impact as a fully loaded cement truck. Sometimes it becomes irritated or inflamed, which causes a condition called plantar fasciitis.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately two million people in the United States suffer from plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms and causes

Plantar fasciitis is typically a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel – but the discomfort can occur anywhere on the bottom of the foot. The pain is often greater earlier in the day. As you walk more, it often eases.

“It used to be known as ‘heel spur syndrome,’ and most people describe a sharp, stabbing pain, as if they’ve stepped on something,” explains Dr. Kenneth Foster, a podiatrist with Kettering Health. “Sometimes, we find a heel spur, but what’s causing the pain is inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament around it.”

While heel spurs are found in about 50 percent of plantar fasciitis cases, they are not the source of pain. Plantar fasciitis creates heel spurs, not the reverse. Treating plantar fasciitis early can help to prevent heel spurs.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by anything from fallen arches or flat feet to tight calf muscles. Obesity is a factor in 70 percent of cases, so a healthy weight can help prevent the condition.

“The plantar fascia becomes irritated at the insertion point on the bottom of the heel,” said Dr. Foster. “An increase or decrease in arch height, weight gain, and tight calf muscles can aggravate it.”

Treatment options

Treating the inflammation can be effective if started early. Professional treatment begins with a determination of its severity.

If the pain is mild-to-severe, a steroid injection and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories might be prescribed.

Icing – switching off and on for 20 minutes each – and adding new, properly fitted running shoes may also be suggested for better support. Additional options include physical therapy and possibly a second round of steroid injections.

Research also suggests stretching can improve or even stop heel pain over the long term. A study published by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery indicated while relief was not immediate, 52 percent of patients treated with an exercise program saw a reduction in plantar fasciitis pain.

“Wearing properly fitting shoes with good arch supports can greatly reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis,” Dr. Foster said.

It’s important to note plantar fasciitis may not always be the reason for pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. When orthotics or other remedies do not ease the discomfort and stretching worsens, you may not have the condition. It is best to consult your doctor and have it checked out.

If icing, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and stretching aren’t relieving your foot pain, contact Kettering Health Orthopedics to request an appointment and find out precisely what is causing the discomfort.

Visit ketteringhealth.org/ortho or call 1-844-228-6683.