Pain on inside of heel below ankle. One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This is caused by inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.
A soft-tissue injury can cause plantar fasciitis?
Although the term “plantar fasciitis” describes a number of different conditions, the most common cause of painful plantar fasciitis in runners is tendinitis. Tendinitis is the inflammation of tendons. There are two main types of tendinitis; common and rare.
Common tendinitis is a combination of two or more of the following:
- Fibrocartilage (the fibrous connective tissue covering the heel and the arch of the foot) swelling or redness from muscle spasm
- A tendon that has ruptured
- A torn or displaced tendon
- A muscle or tendon that has been torn
- An injury to bone (such as a bone chip from a fall)
Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment is individualized, so you’ll need to make the decisions about what works best for your particular situation. In general, treating plantar fasciitis is aimed at preventing damage and improving pain. A good place to start is with a low-impact aerobic activity that doesn’t involve heavy foot and knee movements. If you have had recent surgery (such as a knee replacement) or have a weak joint, this type of therapy may not be effective.
Over time, if you continue to have pain and have to exercise again, take a few days off and give yourself time to recover.
If you’re having discomfort or pain in your plantar fasciitis, it’s important to see a doctor. He or she will be able to discuss the medical facts surrounding your condition and help determine if it’s due to plantar fasciitis or another underlying medical condition.
