Question
My husband has plantar fcaiitis and has to order special shoes with actual springs in the heels to walk with. I read that the fascii is a fibrous tissue.  Would it be a ligament or a tendon?  What is the differnce between a ligament and a tendon?  

Answer
Hi Connie,

The plantar fascia is neither a tendon or ligament.

Tendons connect muscle to bone and ligaments connect adjacent bones.

Fascia is one of the four types of dense connective tissue, the other three being tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.

See this info regarding plantar fasciitis:
http://thetampapodiatrist.com/document_disorders.cfm?id=135

I typically recommend custom orthotic devices for plantar fasciitis.

I have found that many people don't get relief from the spring shoes.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, Florida
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com