Plantar fasciitis is defined as which of the following?

Plantar fasciitis is defined as which of the following?

• A. Soleus Strain
• B. Gastrocnemius Strain
• C. Plantar Fasciitis
• D. Achilles Tendinopathy

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is naming the exact tissue involved. Plantar fasciitis means irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes and supports the arch. It’s a foot-tissue problem, not a calf muscle issue or a tendon problem at the back of the ankle. Calf strains involve the muscles in the back of the leg (like the soleus or gastrocnemius), and Achilles tendinopathy involves the Achilles tendon. So the correct concept is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is what plantar fasciitis describes.

The main idea here is naming the exact tissue involved. Plantar fasciitis means irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes and supports the arch. It’s a foot-tissue problem, not a calf muscle issue or a tendon problem at the back of the ankle. Calf strains involve the muscles in the back of the leg (like the soleus or gastrocnemius), and Achilles tendinopathy involves the Achilles tendon. So the correct concept is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is what plantar fasciitis describes.