La fasciopathie plantaire (FP) désigne une douleur le long de l'aponévrose plantaire proximale et de son attache dans la zone de la tubérosité calcanéenne. Responsable d'environ 11 à 15% de tous les cas d'affections du pied, elle est la source la plus courante de douleurs plantaires au talon [1-2]. Selon les estimations, plus d'une personne sur dix sera confrontée à la fasciopathie plantaire au cours de sa vie [2].

Untreated plantar fasciopathy can turn into chronic heel pain that significantly impedes normal activities. To mitigate pain in the foot, the patient may adopt changes in walking position, potentially leading to future foot, knee, hip, or back problems.

Plantar fasciopathy is attributable to mechanical overload on the plantar fascia and its enthesis of the calcaneal tuberosity [4]. Demanding physical activity, biomechanical faults, obesity, or work-related activity can cause microtears in the plantar fascia. Eventually, sustained, repetitive injury surpasses the body’s capacity to repair itself, leading to degenerative changes.

Recreational and elite runners are more at risk of developing plantar fasciopathy. However, the condition is also associated with several other sports and, more generally, with repeated stretching and contraction of the plantar fascia (incidence of 5% to 10%) [3]. Other causes include: 

• prolonged weight bearing; 
• obesity (BMI greater than 27 kg/m2); 
• unsuitable shoes;
• walking or running without preconditioning; 
• excessive pronation; 
• limited dorsiflexion of the talocrural joint. 
   

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