Drawing of the<unk>  fascia of the foot The cause of<unk>  is poorly understood and appears to have several contributing factors. The<unk>  fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue that originates from the medial tubercle and anterior aspect of the heel bone. From there, the fascia extends along the sole of the foot before inserting at the base of the toes and supports the arch of the foot.<unk>  is a non-inflammatory condition of the<unk>  fascia. Within the last decade, studies have observed microscopic anatomical changes indicating that<unk>  is due to a non-inflammatory structural breakdown of the<unk>  fascia rather than an inflammatory process. Many in the academic community have stated the condition should be renamed<unk>  fasciosis in light of these newer findings. Repetitive microtrauma (small tears) appears to cause a structural breakdown of the<unk>  fascia. Microscopic examination of the<unk>  fascia often shows myxomatous degeneration, connective tissue calcium deposits, and disorganized collagen fibers. Disruptions in the<unk>  fascia's normal mechanical movement during standing and walking (known as the Windlass mechanism) place excess strain on the calcaneal tuberosity and seem to contribute to the development of<unk> . Other studies have also suggested that<unk>  is not due to the inflamed<unk>  fascia but maybe a tendon injury involving the flexor digitorum brevis muscle located immediately deep to the<unk>  fascia.
Plantar fasciitis
Osteoarthritis
Diabetic sock
Heel pad syndrome
Ischemic fasciitis
Reactive arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Sprained ankle