· Plantar Fasciitis is a chronic inflammation of the fascia as a result of excessive pronation. 

 · It can be described as pain directly beneath or in front of the heel.

 · The most common cause of heel or arch pain is actually caused by a painful stretching or micro-tearing of the plantar fascia. 

 · The plantar fascia is a fibrous or tendon-like structure that courses along the bottom of the foot connecting the toes and calcaneus. 

 · During normal conditions, the fascia is flexible and strong. However due to factors such as abnormal stress, excessive weight, age, or improper foot support, the fascia can become weakened, irritated or inflamed.

 · If the foot flattens excessively or becomes unstable at critical times during the gait cycle, the attachment of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneus may begin to stretch and pull away from the calcaneus. 

· The heel pain or plantar fasciitis is especially noticeable to the patient during the toe-off phase of gait.

· The onset is gradual, yet most patients report the pain during the first steps on the floor in the morning, or after extended resting periods during the day.

· The patient may also report having had either a sudden increase in daily activities, an increase in weight or a recent change in footwear.

  · The most frequent cause is an abnormal or excessive internal motion of the foot.

. · During resting or non-weight bearing periods, the plantar fascia shortens. When body weight is rapidly applied to the foot, the fascia must stretch and quickly lengthen, causing micro-tears in the fascia.

· Hypermobility, (excessive internal motion) of the foot can induce future or coexisting problems involving the knee, hip, sacroiliac joint or the low back region.

· Plantar Fasciitis, when treated early, is usually controlled with conservative or non-surgical treatment.

 ·Although the development of plantar fasciitis takes a long time, we only tend to pay attention to it when the pain has become significant. In general, the longer the pain has been present, the longer it takes to resolve.

.· Although soft heel materials appear to cushion the heel, they do not address the problem of foot support, which initially caused the problem. Therefore, with soft heel cushions, the painful heel tends to return.

· A foot orthotic should be used to stabilize the foot.

· The role of the foot orthotic in these conditions is to prevent excess pronation and rapid excessive lengthening of the plantar fascia. The foot orthotic control limits the micro-tearing of the plantar fascia, thereby decreasing the pain.

 · It is important to make an appointment with a certified orthotist as soon as possible.

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