Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. It is a common cause of heel pain and is sometimes called a heel spur. Plantar fasciitis is the correct term to use when there is active inflammation. Plantar fasciosis is more accurate when there is no inflammation but chronic degeneration instead.

You really need to see a physician to make the diagnosis. Any time symptoms are present bilaterally (both sides), there could be a systemic problem unrelated to your running schedule. For example, rheumatoid arthritis (which is a systemic problem affecting more than just the joints) can be the underlying problem.

Most athletes really depend on their feet and ankles to propel them during sports activities. Running and jumping can become huge problems when the athlete experiences heel pain of any kind. The two most common heel problems affect the plantar heel (underneath) and the posterior heel (back of heel). In this review article, the diagnosis and treatment of four specific problems are addressed.

Surgery remains a last resort when all attempts at nonoperative care have failed. Almost one-third of all patients with chronic tendinopathies end up having surgery. This is true despite the fact that there is no evidence to support this approach or show which surgical procedure works best.

The demands of your job (climbing ladders, walking on uneven or slanted rooftops) create a unique challenge to recovery from an injury of this type. If you needed surgery, that suggests the fracture was displaced (bones separated) and/or comminuted (many bone fragments).

Studies show that some motor vehicle accidents are more traumatic because of the higher impact. Not only are the bones broken, but the soft tissues around the bones are often torn as well. In your case, it might also have to do with the fact that you fell from a step stool rather than off a high ladder or rooftop. Accidents from greater heights can also create greater trauma at the point of impact.

Only one per cent of all bone fractures affect the calcaneus (heel bone). But if that's your foot, you'll want to know the results of this study as to what happens years after surgery. Since this injury doesn't happen very often, studying it has been a problem. Small studies have been done but there's always the question of how reliable are the results? If enough small studies are done, it's possible to combine the results into a meta-analysis to compare treatment results.

A Patient's Guide to Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Introduction

Bunions. They are more than just ugly toes. The medical term is hallux valgus. Hallux refers to the big toe. Valgus describes the awkward angle that forms as the base of the metatarsal bone drifts away from the rest of the foot. Surgery for the deformity is more than just for cosmetic reasons. Hallux valgus can be very painful and disabling.

Hallux valgus (bunions) is a condition that affects the joint at the base of the big toe. The bunion actually refers to the bump that grows on the side of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.