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What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Posted on 08-20-2026 in Plantar Fasciitis by Dr. Erik Nilssen

Posted on 08-20-2026 in Plantar Fasciitis by Dr. Erik Nilssen
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, irritated & inflamed. Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.
Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

Reaching into a cabinet. Putting luggage in an overhead bin. Throwing a ball. Pulling on a shirt.

Orthopaedic care has the power to restore movement, relieve pain, improve function and change lives. For Dr. Steven Kronlage and Dr. Chris O’Grady, that commitment extends far beyond Northwest Florida.

Have you ever taken a step and felt like there was a pebble stuck in your shoe, only to stop, check, and find nothing there? It's a surprisingly common complaint. Many patients describe the sensation as though they're walking on a small rock, a wrinkle in their sock, or something that simply won't go away. While it may seem like a minor annoyance at first, persistent pain in the ball of the foot is often your body's way of signaling that something isn't functioning as it should. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, understanding what may be behind the discomfort is the first step toward finding lasting relief.