Plantar fascia

Looks like

A thick fibrous band under the sole, from the heel bone fanning out to the base of the toes.

What it does

Supports the arch and acts as a spring during walking.

Keeping it well

Heel pain on the first steps of the morning is plantar fasciitis; calf stretches, supportive shoes and time settle most cases.

Related conditions

• Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans)
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus)
• Flat feet (pes planus)
• Ganglion cyst
• Gout
• Hammer toe and claw toe
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Morton's neuroma
• Plantar fasciitis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite