Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling in your heel. Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged ladies. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

• Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation ).
• You have high arches or flat feet.
• You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
• You are overweight.
• You wear shoes that don’t fit well or are worn out.
• You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.
• Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps.
• But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.

Your doctor may take an X-ray of your foot if he or she suspects a problem with the bones of your foot, such as a stress fracture.

No single treatment works best for everyone with plantar fasciitis. But there are many types of treatment your doctor can try to help your foot get better. Contact your orthopaedic doctor in GLOBAL ORTHO & TRAUMA HOSPITAL, Kalingarayan Street, Ramnagar, Coimbatore, India. For appointment call (0) 9600 24 24 24,    0091 (0) 422 223 06 06.