Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Whether you are a keen runner, spend long hours on your feet at work, or simply find that your heel has started to hurt during everyday activities, plantar fasciitis can make walking and exercise uncomfortable.

The good news is that, with the right advice and treatment, most cases can be successfully managed.

What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes. It helps support the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber when you walk or run.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes irritated or overloaded. Repeated strain can cause small areas of damage within the tissue, leading to pain and tenderness, particularly around the heel.

Despite the name, plantar fasciitis is not always caused by inflammation alone. It is often better described as an overload or degeneration of the plantar fascia.

What does plantar fasciitis feel like?

A common symptom is a sharp or aching pain underneath the heel or along the bottom of the foot.

Many people notice that the pain is particularly severe when they take their first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning. It may ease as you start moving, but can return after periods of sitting or resting.

Other symptoms can include:

• Pain after, rather than during, exercise

• Tenderness underneath the heel

• Discomfort after standing for long periods

• Pain when walking barefoot on hard surfaces

• Tightness through the sole of the foot or calf

If heel pain persists or is affecting your normal activities, it is worth having it assessed rather than simply trying to walk through the discomfort.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

There isn’t always one single cause. Plantar fasciitis can develop when the foot is repeatedly subjected to more stress than it can comfortably tolerate.

Factors that may contribute include:

• Increasing your walking or running suddenly

• Spending long periods standing

• Wearing unsupportive or unsuitable footwear

• Tight calf muscles

• Reduced flexibility around the ankle

• Changes in foot mechanics

• Being overweight or gaining weight

• Certain sporting activities, particularly those involving running or jumping

Sometimes the problem develops gradually without an obvious change in activity.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Treatment depends on the individual and the underlying factors contributing to the problem. In many cases, conservative treatment is effective.

Rest and activity modification

Reducing activities that aggravate the pain can give the plantar fascia an opportunity to recover. This doesn’t necessarily mean complete rest. Instead, it may be helpful to temporarily reduce high-impact activities and choose lower-impact alternatives.

Stretching and strengthening

Specific exercises can help improve the flexibility and strength of the calf, ankle and foot. A tailored exercise programme can be particularly useful because the appropriate exercises can vary from person to person.

Appropriate footwear

Supportive, comfortable footwear can reduce the strain placed on the plantar fascia. Avoiding very flat, unsupportive footwear or going barefoot for prolonged periods may help during a painful episode.

Insoles and orthoses

For some people, foot orthoses or insoles can help redistribute pressure and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. These aren’t necessarily required for everyone, but may be considered following an assessment of your feet, footwear and walking pattern.

Professional assessment

Persistent heel pain can have several possible causes, and not every case of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. A podiatry assessment can help identify the likely cause of your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How long does plantar fasciitis take to improve?

Plantar fasciitis can take time to settle. Improvement may occur over several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the problem and the factors contributing to it.

The key is usually to address the underlying cause rather than simply treating the pain. Continuing activities that repeatedly aggravate the foot can make recovery more difficult.

If your heel pain isn’t improving, is getting worse, or is stopping you from carrying out your normal activities, professional advice can help you understand what is causing the problem and what steps you can take to manage it.

Don’t ignore persistent heel pain

Although plantar fasciitis is common, heel pain shouldn’t automatically be assumed to be plantar fasciitis. Conditions affecting the nerves, joints, tendons, muscles or bones can cause similar symptoms.

Getting an accurate assessment can therefore be an important first step towards effective treatment.

If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms that could be related to plantar fasciitis, Advanced Chiropody & Podiatry, at 26 Battle Hill NE46 2EB Hexham, can assess your feet and discuss appropriate treatment options. Professional podiatry care can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and provide practical advice to help you get back to comfortable everyday movement.