Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain Relief

What You Need To Know

Understanding your heel pain is the first step toward finding lasting relief.

Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is the medical term for inflammation of the plantar fascia located on the soles of your feet. The plantar fascia is made of tight, dense connective tissue and provides support to the arch of your foot. In many cases, plantar fasciitis only affects one foot, though it is possible to have symptoms in both feet.

Heel pain is a problem that almost everyone suffers from at some stage in life. Each foot endures 60 tons of stress with every mile you walk, so it is no surprise that heel pain is common. It usually results from abnormalities in your gait that place too much stress on the bone and soft tissues of your heel. Over time, this can also lead to heel spurs, a pointed bony growth on the heel bone.

Common symptoms include sharp, sometimes stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel when first stepping out of bed, aching in the arches, and increased pain after long periods of standing or driving. Plantar fasciitis develops when the soles of your feet stretch to the point that small tears form in the fascia. Contributing factors include flat feet or high arches, excess weight, tight calf muscles, running and jumping, and shoes with inadequate support.

To determine the underlying cause of your heel pain, our providers begin with a careful review of your symptoms and medical history, followed by an examination and diagnostic imaging such as digital X-rays, musculoskeletal ultrasound, or MRI when needed. We work collaboratively with you to identify the root cause before building a treatment plan tailored to your recovery.

Treatment Options and Prevention

Many types of heel pain improve with non-surgical treatments. Conservative care may include stretching exercises or physical therapy, modifying activities, changing footwear, icing the heel, pain medication, padding or taping the foot, wearing an orthotic device, wearing a night splint, and corticosteroid injections.

Orthotics are one of the simplest and most effective options. Over-the-counter or custom arch supports provide proper foot, heel, and ankle alignment. Supportive shoes should bend near the toes, have a solid heel counter, and resist twisting motion. Physical therapy combining electrostimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, hydrotherapy, stretching, massage, and foot taping helps reduce pain and inflammation while promoting healing.

Night splints passively stretch the calf, Achilles tendon, and arch during sleep so there is reduced tension when you take your first step in the morning. Compression wraps, athletic taping, and corticosteroid injections may also be combined for the best results. For severe cases that do not respond to conservative care, your podiatrist may offer extracorporeal shockwave therapy, the Tenex procedure, or surgery.

Prevention plays a large role in long-term relief. Wearing supportive footwear and stretching regularly can help prevent plantar fasciitis. Maintaining a healthy weight and a consistent exercise routine keeps your muscles and joints healthy without putting excess pressure on your feet. If you have persistent symptoms, schedule an evaluation with a podiatrist so treatment can begin as soon as possible.