Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot, known as the fascia, swells. The primary function of the fascia tissue includes holding the foot's bones together. The average length of treatment is nine months, though treatment can last from a few months up to two years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The university adds that the condition remains one of the most common orthopedic complaints. Risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis include running, obesity, foot arch problems and sudden weight gain. Heel spurs commonly occur alongside plantar fasciitis, but do not cause the condition.
Mild Pain
The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that the most common complaint of plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the foot, typically over the heel bone. Pain over the arch of the foot may also be present. The most noticeable discomfort often occurs during the morning hours and lessens throughout the day. Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, reports that patients feel a dull, aching pain by the end of the day. Pain often affects only one foot, though both feet may suffer from the condition. Heel pain increases as the amount of walking a person participates in throughout the day increases. Additional pain triggers include standing for long periods or standing up from a seated position, according to MayoClinic.com.
Severe Pain
More severe pain occurs after exercising or physical activity. If plantar fasciitis remains untreated, the pain becomes more severe and will be present throughout the day, even while walking or performing any weight bearing. Pain may become so unbearable a person has difficulty walking on his foot. According to FamilyDoctor.org, the website of the American Academy of Family Physicians, some patients describe the pain as if a knife or sharp needle jabbed into their heel. Left untreated, the pain develops into a chronic condition. Symptoms affect the way a person walks and complications in the knees, hips and back are likely.
Tenderness and Swelling
Additional symptoms often do not occur unless they are extremely mild. The bottom of the foot can feel tender or sore. The heel area may appear swollen, but the inflammation will be minimal. Redness may occur over the area and the bottom of the foot may feel warm to the touch.
