Which term describes plantar fasciitis, a disorder of the fascia on the bottom of the foot that causes heel and arch pain?

• A. Pes planus
• B. Plantar fasciitis/heel pain
• C. Pes cavus
• D. Morton's neuroma

Answer: (B)

The main idea is recognizing plantar fasciitis as the disorder of the bottom foot fascia that causes heel and arch pain. The plantar fascia is the thick connective tissue along the sole that supports the arch. When it becomes irritated or inflamed, you get plantar fasciitis, which typically presents as heel pain and pain in the arch, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of standing.

Saying plantar fasciitis/heel pain captures both the tissue involved (plantar fascia) and the common symptom (heel pain), which is why it’s the best fit. In contrast, pes planus and pes cavus describe the foot’s arch shape—flat foot and high arch, respectively—without specifying inflammation of the plantar fascia. Morton's neuroma is a nerve-related forefoot problem, causing sharp or burning pain between the toes, not a fascia issue on the sole.