What Is Plantar Fasciosis?

You've likely heard of plantar fasciitis before. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong connective tissue in the sole of your foot. But what is plantar fasciosis?
Plantar fasciosis, like plantar fasciitis, has symptoms of heel pain and pain in your plantar fascia, but this condition involves degeneration, micro-tears, and cell death of the plantar fascia. It typically affects active men between the ages of 40 and 70. 
Plantar fasciosis usually affects those who have a high arch or are flat footed. Those with the condition will have pain or discomfort at the point where your plantar fascia connects to your heel bone. Plantar fasciosis can also be known as calcaneal spur syndrome or calcaneal enthesopathy and involves stretching, tearing, and degeneration of your plantar fascia at its attachment site. 
Your podiatrist will perform X-rays to determine the cause of your heel pain. If they discover a bone spur at the site of the pain, is it not the cause of your pain, but is indicative that your plantar fascia has been exerting excessive force on your heel bone. 
One of the causes for plantar fasciosis is inappropriate footwear. Shoes that have a tapered toe box hold your toe in an adducted and extended position. When your toe is in this position, it pulls on a part of the foot called the flexor retinaculum and restricts the blood flow to your posterior tibial artery, the artery that carries blood to the bottom of your foot. The tissues in the sole of your feet will start to deteriorate as the blood supply to this area is decreased.
Other conditions that cause plantar fasciosis are:

• Calf muscle shortening
• Obesity
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Corticosteroid injections
• Plantar fascia contracture
• Reactive arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Signs and symptoms of plantar fasciosis include mild swelling and redness in the affected area, impaired ability to move, and tenderness on the bottom on your heel.
Your podiatrist will recommend you wear different shoes that do not constrict your feet and keep them in your natural position. You should look for shoes with a flat heel, wide toe box, no toe spring, and have flexible soles. They will also recommend stretching exercises to rehabilitate your foot. Dietary changes and aerobic exercises are important for those who are overweight. They may find that water aerobics helpful. Physical therapy may also be part of your podiatrist's treatment plan.
Reference: Northwest Foot and Ankle
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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