What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a very common kind of tendonitis, especially common in women during menopause, but instead of an inflamed tendon, it’s the plantar fascia of the foot that’s inflamed.
The plantar fascia is a sheet of connective tissue, similar to a ligament or tendon, that stretches from the heel to toes, spanning the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation and thickening of the plantar fascia. The “itis” suffix means “inflammation.”
Plantar fasciitis is basically caused by chronic irritation of the arch of the foot due to excessive strain.
If the arch of your foot is like a bow, think of the plantar fascia as the bow’s string. The plantar fascia, along with several muscles both in the foot and in the leg, supports the arch and makes it springy. Too springy, and the foot flattens right out, overstretching the plantar fascia. Not springy enough, and the plantar fascia absorbs too much weight too suddenly.