What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is a painful condition caused by inflammation of plantar fascia — the bands of tissue that connect your heel to your toes. This part of your body supports the arch of your foot and absorbs the impact when you walk, run, or jump. It also helps you walk as it pushes you forward with each step you take.
Anybody can have plantar fasciitis, but it is often seen in people aged 45-64 and those with obesity or excess weight. It also affects people who stand for long periods or have difficulty moving their toes upward to their knees.
Acute vs. chronic plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis may be acute or chronic.
Acute plantar fasciitis occurs after an injury or trauma, leading to sudden and intense pain in the heel that may also cause mild swelling. On the other hand, chronic plantar fasciitis develops over time from using your heels for too long or with repetitive use. This can be the case when you stand for long hours every day, or you engage in long-distance or downhill running. The chronic type is the typical type of plantar fasciitis that many people experience.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Symptoms include pain in the bottom of your foot — at the front or center of the heel bone. You might notice plantar fasciitis pain is worse in the morning when you wake up (called “first-step pain”). But the pain will likely go away within 5 to 10 minutes. And it may happen again during the day, such as if you’re standing up after sitting for a long time.
You’re also more likely to feel it right after exercise.
Plantar fasciitis may also cause heel stiffness, swelling, and tightness in your Achilles tendon.
What does plantar fasciitis feel like?
If you have plantar fasciitis, you’ll feel a burning, dull, or achy pain in your heel or under your foot. You might not always feel the same type of pain, but you’ll likely feel the most intense pain first thing in the morning.
You may also feel pain when you stand up after resting your foot for a while. This pain may go away with walking or exercising and start again if you stop walking. A sharp or burning feeling may also come when you put pressure on your heel.
How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor can normally tell if you have it just by checking for tender areas in your foot. Often, they can pinpoint what’s causing the pain by where it’s located. They probably won’t do any imaging tests. In rare cases, they might suggest an X-ray or MRI to rule out another cause, such as a pinched or compressed nerve or stress fracture in your heel.
How to Get Rid of Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Plantar fasciitis normally goes away on its own after a few months. Resting and taking over-the-counter pain meds can help reduce swelling and make you more comfortable. Icing your foot for 10-15 minutes twice a day might help. Your doctor may suggest stretches or wearing heel cups for relief.
You can also take short walks to ease pain, but never walk barefoot. Instead, wear cushioned or supportive shoes as often as you can.
Call your doctor about your condition if it doesn’t improve or if you notice redness or bruising on your heel. Your doctor might suggest physical therapy or a walking cast. In some severe cases, you may also need surgery to ease pressure on your heels or remove heel spurs that may be making your pain worse.
Your doctor might also give you corticosteroid injections from time to time to manage the inflammation causing the pain.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor could recommend extracorporeal pulse activation therapy (EPAT). This therapy uses sound waves to apply pressure on your heel that stimulates blood flow, which then promotes healing. Another option to help speed up your healing is a procedure called percutaneous needle tenotomy, which involves inserting a needle into your plantar fascia. They may also give you a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, which is made from your own blood, to help with healing.
Takeaways
Plantar fasciitis can cause all sorts of pain in your heels that can feel worse in the morning. Although this condition goes away on its own, see a doctor if you have heel pain that doesn’t go away with rest, icing, or over-the-counter pain relief. They may suggest stretches to do, anti-inflammation medicines to take, treatments that help you heal faster, or even necessary surgery in severe cases.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms FAQs
How long do plantar fasciitis symptoms last?
Plantar fasciitis symptoms last weeks to a few months after you start treating them.
How long should I wait to see a doctor about plantar fasciitis symptoms?
You can wait two weeks to see a doctor after treating plantar fasciitis with over-the-counter pain relief, icing, and other home remedies. However, see a doctor sooner if your symptoms cause serious pain and discomfort.
Are plantar fasciitis symptoms caused by heel spurs?
No, heel spurs don’t cause plantar fasciitis symptoms but can also cause heel pain that feels like plantar fasciitis.
Will different shoes reduce my symptoms?
Yes, shoes with proper heel support or cushion can help reduce your symptoms. Your doctor might also prescribe special shoes called orthotics to support your foot arch adequately.
