Plantar fasciitis is not the only reason for heel pain, there are other causes too like Achilles tendon inflammation, bursitis, arthritis and internal derangements of the
ankle joint. Acute Achilles tendonitis is often seen in sports person, tennis players who have to suddenly stop and start, athletes/sprinters are prone to pain due to micro trauma of the tendon specially at the site of insertion in the bone and at the narrowest point of the tendon. The pain is severe, constant, and localized in the posterior part of the ankle. A person is not able to sleep or wakes up at night due to
a painful heel and ankle. The person avoids painful movement, and there is a change in gait to a flat-footed stance, as dorsiflexion causes pain.
Plantar fasciitis is a different condition where the person has pain and tenderness over the heel i.e.calcaneum bone. It is seen more often in women. Obesity, barefooted or home slippers, high-impact aerobic exercise, prolonged standing or walking, and hard sole footwear are predisposing conditions. The person may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Reiter’s syndrome. Many other conditions can mimic the symptoms of plantar fasciitis so person has to undergo physical examination and thorough investigation to form a diagnosis.