Sore heels in the morning?  You’re not alone.

Plantar fasciitis, which is the main cause of heel pain in the mornings and after rest, is estimated to affect 10% of the population over a lifetime.  The Plantar Fascia is not a muscle, tendon or ligament, it is a piece of fascia, like a thick fibrous band that begins at the heel and inserts into the ball of the foot.  If you point your big toe back, you can often feel a rope like structure through the arch of your foot; this is the Plantar Fascia. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when this structure becomes inflamed and tight.

Often the pain is falsely attributed to a ‘heel spur’ which is commonly present on an x-ray of someone with heel pain. The heel spur usually forms as a result of Plantar Fasciitis, not the other way around.  Bone spurs often come about from the bone being put under an increased amount of stress.  Therefore when the plantar fascia becomes tight and inflamed, it starts to pull away from the heel where it attaches and as a result, new bone grows in that area and forms a spur.  The pain that is felt in the mornings and after rest, is not the pressure of stepping on the spur, it is from the tension within the Plantar Fascia.

Usually the shape of your foot predisposes you to Plantar Fasciitis.  People with a really flat arch or a really high arch are at most risk.  Other things such as poor footwear, increasing your activity levels excessively in a short period of time or if certain muscles are working ineffectively, can also cause plantar fasciitis.  This is a potentially debilitating condition and often lasts a long time without treatment.  Because it tends to initially only hurt in the mornings, or for the first few steps of the day, it often takes people a long time to seek treatment. The quicker you start treatment, the better the results!  If you suffer from morning heel pain or have any other foot issues, you should see a Podiatrist as soon as possible to help put a spring back into your step!