​Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, characterized by tears and inflammation in the plantar fascia—a thick, tough band of tissue running from the heel to the base of the toes. This tissue supports the arch of your foot, and when overstressed, it can become damaged, leading to pain, especially along the underside of the heel.

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Common Symptoms

The most notable symptom of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain in the heel, particularly during the early morning or after long periods of inactivity. This pain often decreases as the day goes on but can return after extended periods of standing or sitting.

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Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Several factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis, often in combination:

• Inadequate Footwear: Shoes lacking proper support and cushioning can lead to overstressing the plantar fascia.

• Foot Structure: Issues like flat arches, high arches, or overpronation can naturally contribute to increased stress on the plantar fascia.

• Occupational Hazards: Jobs that require prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces can exacerbate the condition.

• Active Lifestyle: High-impact activities, especially without sufficient rest or proper training techniques, can lead to plantar fasciitis.

• Excess Weight: Increased body weight places additional pressure on the plantar fascia.

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Achilles Tendinitis

If you have ever felt ankle or heel pain and had trouble walking because of it, you may have had Achilles tendinitis. The largest tendon in the human body, the Achilles tendon, runs behind your leg and connects your heel to the muscles in your calf. Our abilities to walk, jump, and run depend upon the tendon’s strength and flexibility. Even though it is the largest, it is far more inclined to suffer from injuries because it receives a limited blood supply and is responsible for allowing our legs to move in a variety of ways.

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What is Achilles Tendinitis?

This term refers to the strain or injury caused to the Achilles tendon during repeatedly strenuous activities. Since inflammation is how the body deals with disease or injury, the tendon becomes inflamed and irritated to the point of causing discomfort or pain.

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Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis affects the lower leg from the calf down toward the heel of the foot. The most common signs include:

• Tenderness or stiffness in the tendon.

• Weakness in the leg.

• Inflammation or swelling around the tendon.

• Heel or ankle pain.

People also notice discomfort walking uphill or up a flight of stairs, after the day’s activities or a period of exercise, and first thing in the morning after getting out of bed. Stiffness and soreness beginning early in the morning often feel better throughout the day as the tendon stretches.

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