Clinical Definition

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury especially among athletic people. It occurs when the strong band of tissue known as the plantar fascia, which supports the foot’s arch, becomes irritated, inflamed and painful. The plantar fascia is a ligament that lies directly beneath the skin on the bottom of your foot; it connects the heel to the forefoot and supports the arch.

In Our Own Words

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain in adults, and is often experienced by athletes, especially runners. It occurs when the ligament (plantar fascia) that supports the arch tears partially or completely. The ligament is a kind of rubber band that supports the bottom of the foot. When athletes jump or do repeated pushing-off motions, as in running, this dense tissue can become irritated, inflamed and sometimes damaged.