Plantar Fasciitis 101 | Treatment | The Takeaway
Overview
You go through your usual routine of waking up in the morning and getting out of bed. But this time, you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in the back sole of one foot when you stand up.
You think this is temporary, assuming you may have landed on your foot wrong the previous day, but the scene repeats every morning, and the pain is worsening.
The scenario described above is not at all uncommon. It’s very likely a condition known as plantar fasciitis, and in the US alone, more than two million people receive treatment for it at any one time.[1]
So, if you are feeling heel pain and wondering why it just won’t go away, read on for more information.
Plantar Fasciitis 101
The heel pain, medically known as plantar fasciitis, affects around 10 percent of the population in their lifetime.[2]
In most cases, this foot disorder is caused by overuse or stress that can be linked to jobs that require standing for long periods, intense exercise, wearing shoes that don’t support feet well, and being obese.
The fact that plantar fasciitis develops over a long period would likely explain why it mainly affects people who are approaching middle age. However, it can also affect other groups prone to overuse, such as dancers and athletes of any age.
Sometimes, the anatomical structure of the foot can play a role in the development of the condition, such as flat feet or high arches.
In some cases, the condition can come with a heel spur, where calcium deposits accumulate on the underside of the heel bone.[3]
Symptoms can include:
- A sharp, sudden pain when standing up (especially after first getting up from bed) that eases after walking around for a bit
- A consistent, dull ache throughout the day
- Worsening pain when standing for more extended periods
- Stiffness in the heel
Treatment
Various non-invasive treatments are available for this nagging foot disorder, and for the vast majority of cases – around 90 percent – the issue resolves within 3-6 months.[4]
In some instances, the problem goes away on its own after around the year mark. However, in some cases, more advanced interventions may be necessary.
Conservative treatments include:
- Rest: Sometimes, just taking a break from a suspected activity that caused the issue in the first place helps, like suspending your participation in a sport for a week or so to allow for healing
- Icing: Icing the affected foot for about 15 minutes at a time twice per day helps to relieve inflammation and pain
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): This class of medication includes ibuprofen (such as Advil) and naproxen (such as Aleve) and can reduce pain and inflammation, but if you feel you need to take these for more than 10 days, please speak with your doctor
- Orthotics/Shoe Inserts: Whether molded to the exact shape of your foot via prescription or purchased over-the-counter, the additional arch support helps to alleviate pain and aches while the foot heals
- Stretching: A highly effective method for symptom relief that, most commonly, a physical therapist can show you how to do
More invasive options:
- Corticosteroid Injections: Sometimes, anti-inflammatory medication may have to be administered as an injection directly into the plantar fasciitis
- Gastrocnemius Recession: A surgical intervention to lengthen the calf muscle to reduce pressure on the plantar area
- Plantar Fascial Release: A surgical solution where small incisions are made directly into the plantar fascia to relieve tension
The Takeaway
Although very common, plantar fasciitis is not something you have to endure. If the discomfort is bearable, it can be ‘waited out’ as it usually goes away on its own.
If, however, the pain and aches that come with this condition impact your life negatively, the good news is that plenty of non-invasive treatments can be applied to relieve discomfort and help with healing.
In the meantime, try not to walk barefoot on hard surfaces, wear supportive shoes, and ensure you get plenty of rest and recovery after exercise. Your feet will thank you.
References:
- Rosenbaum, A. J., DiPreta, J. A., & Misener, D. (2014). Plantar heel pain. The Medical clinics of North America, 98(2), 339–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2013.10.009
- Lareau, C. R., Sawyer, G. A., Wang, J. H., & DiGiovanni, C. W. (2014). Plantar and medial heel pain: diagnosis and management. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 22(6), 372–380. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-22-06-372
- Buchanan, B. K., & Kushner, D. (2022). Plantar Fasciitis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Latt, L. D., Jaffe, D. E., Tang, Y., & Taljanovic, M. S. (2020). Evaluation and Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis. Foot & ankle orthopaedics, 5(1), 2473011419896763. https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011419896763
