Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in the United States. The connective tissue along the bottom of the foot is usually involved. This band of tissue is referred to as the plantar aponeurosis or fascia. It runs from the base of the calcaneus (heel bone) to the base of the metatarsal (long toe) bones.

Stretching the calf muscle and/or the plantar fascia itself can be very effective. Improving ankle motion and flexibility can bring pain relief for many people who have this condition.

In this update on plantar fasciitis, clinical guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of this condition are offered. The authors use the best evidence available to bring us up to date on the prevalence, pathologic process, and risk factors linked to plantar fasciitis. Examination, diagnosis, and treatment interventions are also summarized.

hi there,

i have been having some pain on the outter right side and underneath my foot.
it noticed it in the last 10 miles of a 50 mile race i ran last weekend.

i only feel the pain when i run. walking has gives little to no pain.
i was told it might be a peroneal tendon strain. however the symptoms dont match up.
the pain stays on the outter right side of my right foot and the pain can be felt underneath too.

any ideas?

If you suspect you have a broken toe, you should get it checked by a physician. This is important in case it is more than just a simple break. However, there are some things you can do to relieve your pain before you see your doctor.

The standard treatment for any type of fracture is rest, elevation and ice. By applying ice to your toe, you can reduce the swelling and the pain. Be sure not to put the ice directly on your skin and to remove it after 20 minutes or so for a break.

There's always a risk of recurrence with reconstruction of the foot for hallux valgus (bunions). Some procedures are riskier than others. It may depend on the extent of the operation and the condition of the bone.

Patients with osteopenia (low bone mass) or osteoporosis (brittle bones) may have a delayed healing. This can compromise the operation, especially if pins or screws (fixation) are used to hold the bone in place.

Your recovery time depends on several factors. Your age, general health, and diet and nutrition are very important in the recovery process. Older adults (60 years and older) tend to have more problems with bone healing. Those who have diabetes, heart disease, or peripheral vascular disease can have a delayed rehab process.

A pedorthist specializes in footwear. This can include the shoes themselves but is usually much broader than that. Anything used on the foot to solve a foot problem comes under the jurisdiction of a pedorthist. This can include boots, slippers, sandals, socks, hosiery, night splints, bandages, and braces.

Therapeutic footwear is an important tool in the treatment of the diabetic foot. Loss of protective sensation and foot deformities are the two most common uses for shoe modifications and/or foot orthoses in patients with diabetes.

Sometimes the foot needs protection with a special shoe or an insert inside the shoe called a foot orthosis. The orthosis absorbs shock and cushions, supports, and controls the foot.

In this article, two shoe and orthotic specialists called pedorthists review shoes and orthoses used for a variety of foot problems. Anyone from a sports athlete to an older adult with diabetes can benefit from foot orthoses.