What is Plantar Fasciitis? / A Common Problem
Millions of cases of plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome are reported each year. The Physician & Sports Medicine Journal reports that 2 million Americans receive treatment for plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome each year and that 10% of the population will be afflicted with this condition over a lifetime. Jeffrey E. Johnson, M.D., associate professor and chief of the foot and ankle service in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, has this to say about plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome: “Although the exact number is difficult to pinpoint, an estimated 40 million people suffer from heel pain syndrome in the United States.”
How Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain Syndrome Develops
The plantar fascia is a type of connective tissue that acts like a bowstring that connects the forefoot (ball of foot) to the calcaneal bone of the heel. It aids other musculature on the underside of the foot to uphold the arch.
Chronic stress to the plantar fascia and arch due to poor footwear, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, sports injuries and other stresses leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia. Sufferers usually experience acute pain on the underside of the heel and/or arch during the first few steps out of bed in the morning or towards the end of the day.
A Stubborn Problem
Plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome often presents as a very chronic, painful and stubborn condition to resolve. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the resolution time for plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome averages 6 – 18 months. Roughly half of those suffering with plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome are individuals who have suffered with heel pain for over a year.
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