Possible causes/ aggravating factors of plantar fasciitis

Causes are not well understood and probably multi-factorial

Higher risk of occurrence in those:

•  With high arch or flat feet

•  Who are male (especially those aged 40-70 who are active) - possibly due to greater weight /speed/impact

•  Wearing badly fitting footwear - especially with insufficient arch support

•  With rigidity in feet

•  Having an improper gait / poor biomechanics

•  Running / dancing on their toes - E.g. ballerinas, dancers, long-distance or downhill runners

•  Regularly running on hard, irregular, or soft (Eg. sand) surfaces

•  Who have gained weight or who are obese

•  With occupations requiring prolonged weight-bearing

•  With leg-length discrepancy

•  With weakened / atrophied muscles - The elderly, those with peripheral motor neuropathy (E.g. a possible symptom of diabetes)

Athletic injury of the foot typically from running or sports involving intensive overuse of the feet without sufficient acclimating build-up.   Usually occurs over time resulting from repetitive trauma, possibly from running on hard, soft or irregular surfaces, steep inclines; especially affects those having a high arch

Turning sole inward or outward