My Heel Hurts! How Do You Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is nagging, stabbing heel pain that is worst when you first step out of bed. How do you treat plantar fasciitis?

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of fascia (tough tissue) on the calcaneus (heel bone). Microtears cause pain and can persist for a prolonged time. 

What is the treatment for plantar fasciitis?

There are a wide variety of treatments for plantar fasciitis. The orthopedic surgeons at Southwest Orthopedic Group work with the patients to give them multiple treatment options. 

The good news is most people significantly improve after conservative treatments. 

Stretching is a key to treating plantar fasciitis. There are many simple stretches available for patients, such as recommended by the AOFAS. It is recommended to stretch multiple times per day, up to 3-5 times. 

Icing the plantar fascia can help plantar fasciitis. Try freezing a bottle of water, then rolling it on the floor under your injured foot. A short course of NSAIDs as prescribed by your orthopedic surgeon can also help plantar fascia pain. 

Additionally, shoe modifications and over-the-counter inserts, such as soft cushions, can decrease plantar fascia pain. 

Night splints that stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles at night can also treat plantar fasciitis. 

What are some stretches for plantar fasciitis?

A plantar fascia stretching program focuses on stretching the plantar fascia as well as the Achilles tendon and gastroc (calf) muscle. 

See plantar fascia stretches here and here. 

My plantar fascia still hurts! What do I do with chronic plantar fasciitis?

Talk to your orthopedic surgeon about different diagnostic options. First, other studies, such as MRI or EMG, can be ordered to evaluate for other causes of heel pain. 

What are other treatments for plantar fasciitis?

If pain persists despite initial treatment, steroid injections can be considered. Often, multiple steroid injections are not advised, but your orthopedic surgeon can customize treatment. 

Other treatments are available, such as shock wave therapy or platelet rich plasma, but the research is mixed on the efficacy of these treatments. 

Do I need surgery for plantar fasciitis?

Rarely do patients require a plantar fascia surgical release for chronic plantar fasciitis. 

Why do I have numbness and plantar fasciitis?

Sometimes, chronic plantar fasciitis can be associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is a pinched nerve in your ankle. This can cause some numbness on the bottom of your foot. Your orthopedic surgeon can evaluate you for tarsal tunnel syndrome. 

When does plantar fasciitis go away?

The good news is most people significantly improve after treatments. The pain typically doesn’t resolve immediately, like switching off a light switch, but in general it improves with time. 

Can plantar fasciitis cause knee pain?

Yes! If plantar fasciitis alters your walking gait, that can lead to knee or hip pain on the same or opposite side. Once your gait normalizes, that joint pain typically resolves. 

Will plantar fasciitis come back?

Unfortunately, sometimes plantar fasciitis does recur or develop in the other foot. However, once patients know the tools to treat plantar fasciitis, they can initiate treatment right away to minimize the time patients have plantar fasciitis. 

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has more information about plantar fasciitis FootCareMD.

For more questions or to set up an evaluation, contact Dr. Stautberg’s office at 281-977-4870. 

Author

Eugene Stautberg, MD