Plantar Disorders

The medical term for the bottom of the foot, or sole, is the "plantar" region. There are several disorders of the plantar area, the most common being plantar fasciitis, the medical term for inflammation of the thick band of connective tissue, the plantar fascia, that runs the entire length of your foot, from your heel to the base of your toes. Other disorders include plantar warts, plantar fibromatosis and plantar hyperkeratosis.

Anatomy

• The bottom of your foot contains a host of supportive muscles, as well as a thick band of connective tissue called the plantar fascia, which supports the arch, providing tension to keep it in place. People with shorter plantar fascia have high arches, and those with long ones have flat feet because there is less tension in the arch. Flat feet themselves don't cause pain, but can cause you to develop "overpronation," a condition in which the ankle and foot turn too far inward, causing other problems such as back pain.

Plantar Fasciitis

• In the body, fascia serves as a protective layer of connective tissue surrounding our organs and muscles (you've probably encountered fascia while trimming meats). It is composed primarily of collagen and elastin fibers. Some fascia, such as that just beneath the skin, is very thin, but other types are thick and tough like the plantar fascia at the bottom of the foot. Sometimes with overuse (for example, too much standing, walking, or running), the plantar fascia can become inflamed, causing pain. However, the pain is not felt at the arch of your foot, but in your heel. It is described as a "stone bruise" because it feels as though you are stepping on a small stone. The pain is often worse upon waking in the morning or after sitting for a long time, usually not while you are doing the activity that caused it. Treatment includes rest, stretching exercises, and icing the sore area.

Plantar Warts

• Warts that grow on the bottoms of your feet are called plantar warts. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus that causes genital warts and other warts on the mucous membranes of the body. This virus enters the body through small cuts or cracks in the skin. In the plantar region, the warts usually appear in the areas that receive the most pressure, such as the ball of your foot. They aren't serious, but can become a nuisance and may require removal by a doctor.

Plantar Fibromatosis

• The term "fibromatosis" is the medical term for benign growths in the soft tissues of the body. On the soles of your feet, these small growths on the plantar fascia don't cause any symptoms and usually don't need to be treated unless they get very large. Surgical removal can cause more problems than it is worth, sometimes making the foot less balanced and stable.

Plantar Hyperkeratosis

• "Hyperkeratosis" is the medical term for corns and calluses--thickening of the outer layers of the skin. Corns and calluses on the plantar region caused by ill-fitting shoes are no cause for concern unless they become infected. However, when hyperkeratosis appears without such mechanical cause, it should be checked out by a doctor because it can be an indication of an underlying disease.