The pain is usually the worst with the first few steps after awakening, although it can also be triggered by long periods of standing or when you get up after sitting.
The pain is usually worse after exercise, not during it. Your plantar fascia is in the shape of a bowstring, supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock when you walk.
If tension and stress on this bowstring become too great, small tears can occur in the fascia. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia, although the cause remains unclear in many cases of plantar fasciitis. Even though plantar fasciitis can develop without an obvious cause, some factors can increase your risk of developing this condition. They include:. Ignoring plantar fasciitis may result in chronic heel pain that hinders your regular activities.
Changing the way you walk as a way to relieve plantar fasciitis pain might lead to foot, knee, hip or back problems. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed based on your medical history and physical examination.
Imaging tests Usually no tests are necessary. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Moderate pain: always there makes it hard to concentrate or sleep you can manage to get up, wash or dress. Mild pain: comes and goes is annoying but does not stop you doing things like going to work.
Find a registered podiatrist. Too much pressure on your feet can damage or tear the ligaments. The plantar fascia becomes inflamed, and the inflammation causes heel pain and stiffness. The cause of plantar fasciitis discomfort is still unclear.
A study suggested that the condition may involve degeneration rather than inflammation of the plantar fascia. The major complaint of those with plantar fasciitis is pain at the bottom of the heel or sometimes at the bottom mid-foot area. It usually affects just one foot, but it can affect both feet. Pain from plantar fasciitis develops gradually over time. The pain can be dull or sharp. Some people feel a burning or ache on the bottom of the foot extending outward from the heel.
Climbing stairs can be very difficult due to heel stiffness. After prolonged activity, the pain can flare up due to increased irritation or inflammation. Active men and women between the ages of 40 and 70 are at the highest risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Women who are pregnant often experience bouts of plantar fasciitis, particularly during late pregnancy. This is due to the increased pressure on your plantar fascia ligaments, especially if you have sudden weight gain.
If you have structural foot problems, such as very high arches or very flat feet , you may develop plantar fasciitis. Tight Achilles tendons , which are the tendons attaching your calf muscles to your heels, may also result in plantar fascia pain. Simply wearing shoes with soft soles and poor arch support can also result in plantar fasciitis.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for tenderness in your foot and the exact location of the pain. During the evaluation, they may ask you to flex your foot while they push on the plantar fascia to see if the pain gets worse as you flex and better as you point your toe. Your doctor will evaluate the strength of your muscles and the health of your nerves by checking your:. An X-ray or an MRI scan may be necessary to check that nothing else is causing your heel pain, such as a bone fracture.
Home treatments like rest, icing, and using braces and anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first ways to treat plantar fasciitis. Your doctor can do this in their office. Your doctor may use an ultrasound device to help determine the best place for the injection.
They can also apply corticosteroids to the skin of your heel or the arch of your foot, and then apply a painless electrical current to let the steroid pass through your skin and into the muscle. Physical therapy is a key part of treatment for plantar fasciitis.
It can help stretch your plantar fascia and Achilles tendons. A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen your lower leg muscles, helping to stabilize your walk and lessen the workload on your plantar fascia. In this therapy, sound waves bombard your heel to stimulate healing within the ligament. Side effects of this treatment can include:. Surgery is the most dramatic therapy. This is done only in cases in which pain is severe or lasts more than 6 to 12 months. In a plantar fascia release, your surgeon partially detaches the plantar fascia from the heel bone.
This reduces tension, but weakens the arch of the foot, and full function may be lost. If you have a hard time flexing your feet even after consistent stretching, your doctor may recommend gastrocnemius recession.
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