Which condition is described as a plantar fascia disorder causing heel pain?

Which condition is described as a plantar fascia disorder causing heel pain?

• A. Pes planus
• B. Morton's neuroma
• C. Plantar fasciitis/heel pain
• D. Verruca plantaris

Answer: (C)

Plantar fasciitis is what’s being described: a problem of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue along the bottom of the foot, where it attaches to the heel. When this fascia is stressed—through repetitive use, overloading, tight calves, or poor footwear—it can become inflamed or develop microtears. That irritation shows up as heel pain, most notably with the first steps after waking or after long periods of rest, and it may lessen with activity but can come back with prolonged standing or walking. This makes it the best fit for a plantar fascia disorder causing heel pain. The other options involve different structures or conditions: a flat foot (pes planus) is a structural foot type that can contribute to fascia stress but isn’t itself a plantar fascia disorder; Morton's neuroma is nerve-related pain in the forefoot; and verruca plantaris is a plantar wart on the sole. Understanding that plantar fasciitis centers on the plantar fascia and heel area helps distinguish it from those other issues.

Plantar fasciitis is what’s being described: a problem of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue along the bottom of the foot, where it attaches to the heel. When this fascia is stressed—through repetitive use, overloading, tight calves, or poor footwear—it can become inflamed or develop microtears. That irritation shows up as heel pain, most notably with the first steps after waking or after long periods of rest, and it may lessen with activity but can come back with prolonged standing or walking.

This makes it the best fit for a plantar fascia disorder causing heel pain. The other options involve different structures or conditions: a flat foot (pes planus) is a structural foot type that can contribute to fascia stress but isn’t itself a plantar fascia disorder; Morton's neuroma is nerve-related pain in the forefoot; and verruca plantaris is a plantar wart on the sole. Understanding that plantar fasciitis centers on the plantar fascia and heel area helps distinguish it from those other issues.