Plantar fasciitis is caused when you overuse or put too much stress on your feet. You can usually treat plantar fasciitis at home with over-the-counter medications, icing, rest and stretching. Show
OverviewWhat is plantar fasciitis?Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the plantar fascia in your foot. It’s the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a strong, fibrous attachment (similar to a ligament) that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot and your toes. It's stretchy like a thick rubber band. The plantar fascia connects the bones in your foot together and forms the arch on the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis happens when your plantar fascia is overused or stretched too far. Anything that damages your plantar fascia can make it swell. This inflammation makes it painful to walk or use your foot. Most people experience plantar fasciitis in one foot at a time, but it’s possible for it to affect both your feet at once. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing heel or foot pain for more than a week. How common is plantar fasciitis?Plantar fasciitis is extremely common. More than 2 million people in the U.S. are treated for it each year. Around 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis at some point throughout their life. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
What does plantar fasciitis feel like?Plantar fasciitis usually causes an achy pain in your heel or along the bottom of your foot. The pain can change depending on what you’re doing or the time of day. Some types of pain you might feel include:
What causes plantar fasciitis?Anything that irritates or damages your plantar fascia can cause plantar fasciitis, including:
Some health conditions can cause plantar fasciitis, including:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?A healthcare provider will diagnose plantar fasciitis with a physical exam. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and look at your foot. They might lightly press on your plantar fascia to feel for inflammation and check your level of pain. Tell your provider about the pain you’re experiencing in your daily routine. Tell them where on your foot it hurts and when it’s the most painful throughout the day. What tests do healthcare providers use to diagnose plantar fasciitis?A healthcare provider usually won’t need any tests to diagnose plantar fasciitis. They might use imaging tests to take pictures of your foot if they think another issue or condition is causing the pain. Some imaging tests you might need include:
Management and TreatmentStretches for Plantar FasciitisHow is plantar fasciitis treated?You can usually manage plantar fasciitis with at-home treatments and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. Your healthcare provider will suggest options for relieving your symptoms and supporting your feet to reduce the chances you’ll experience plantar fasciitis again in the future. The most common treatments for plantar fasciitis include:
Plantar fasciitis surgeryThe treatments listed above are usually all you’ll need to relieve your symptoms and treat plantar fasciitis. It’s very rare to need surgery. The two most common types of surgery include:
Your healthcare provider or surgeon will tell you which type of surgery you’ll need to treat plantar fasciitis. PreventionHow can I prevent plantar fasciitis?The best way to prevent plantar fasciitis is to avoid overusing your feet. In general:
If you have a health condition that makes you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis, you might not be able to prevent it. Outlook / PrognosisHow long does plantar fasciitis last?You should notice your plantar fasciitis symptoms improving as soon as you start treating them. But it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your plantar fascia to heal. If you feel better but then your symptoms return, try the same at-home treatments you used before. Talk to your provider if your symptoms feel different or worse than before. Will I need to miss work or school if I have plantar fasciitis?You might need to miss work or school for at least a few days while you’re recovering if an activity you do often caused the plantar fasciitis. Tell your healthcare provider about your daily routine — especially if you need to be on your feet all day for work. You should avoid playing sports and other activities that put pressure on your feet for at least a week. Talk to your provider before resuming intense physical activity. Living WithWhen should I see my healthcare provider?Visit a healthcare provider if:
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Frequently Asked QuestionsAre plantar fasciitis and heel spurs the same thing?Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs both cause pain in your heel, but they’re different conditions. A heel spur is a bony growth that pokes out from the bottom of your heel where your heel bone connects to your plantar fascia. It can happen as a reaction to stress and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. Most people don’t feel pain from a heel spur, but when they do, the pain is like plantar fasciitis pain. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing pain in your foot or heel. A note from Cleveland Clinic Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Talk to a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing pain in your heel or foot that doesn’t get better on its own in a week. They’ll help you find at-home treatments to reduce the pain and inflammation in your foot. It’s always annoying to find out you need to skip a week (or more) of your favorite sport or activity. But don’t rush back onto the field or court. You might re-injure your plantar fascia if you put too much stress on your foot before it’s healed. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/04/2022. References
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Why do my heels hurt after standing at work?Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are the most common overuse injuries experienced in the heel. The extra pressure and stress on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon can lead to tiny tears and thickening of the tissue due to scarring over time.
When should I be concerned about heel pain?Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
heel pain is severe or stopping you doing normal activities. the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back. the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks. you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot.
What are 2 symptoms of plantar fasciitis?The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:. Pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel.. Pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. ... . Greater pain after (not during) exercise or activity.. |