People with flat feet seem to be at a higher risk. How it exactly happens is still a mystery.
Lack of strength and flexibility in the ankle and foot can also predispose a runner to plantar fasciitis. A 1991 study found that runners with plantar fasciitis had significantly decreased strength of the calf muscles and significantly decreased flexibility of the achillis tendon. Without strong calf muscles, a runner may not get the proper propulsion during push-off, and achillis tightness can lead to pronation at the heel, putting more strain on the plantar fascia.
It is fairly noticeable to realise that you may have this problem. The most familiar sign of plantar fasciitis is heel pain first thing in the morning when you take your first few steps after sleeping. Popular forms of treatment for plantar fasciitis are comfort slippers. Also known as night splints because they are worn at night during sleep or during rest after activity. (www.quad4x.ne) As pain is most experienced in the morning by the position we sleep in, the slipper tries to correct the way in which we are sleeping so less cramping is experienced. Normally when we wake up, out fascia and calf muscles have been cramped therefore it is very painful for someone with plantar fasciitis to even walk as soon as they wake up. The slipper will reduce the risk of cramping. Pain is normally at the bottom and at the front of the heel but it is known to spread through the entire length of the ligament. This is evident in the title of this condition (fasciitis) as the pain can be found anywhere on the foot where fascia is. The pain can also move around and change patterns of pain. (Quad4x.net).
Some of the features of plantar fasciitis can be somewhat disturbing. Such as it normally takes a while for it to heal. For 75% of people, plantar fasciitis will heal in 6 months. However, it can take up to 12 months to fully heal. As the pain is located at the bottom of the foot, striking the ground whilst walking or running could make matters worse (Denlinger 2001).
