Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative tearing of the plantar fascia – the tissue that runs from the heel to the toes and supports the arch of the foot.
The condition is easy to diagnose and best treated if caught early. Common symptoms include pain on the bottom of the heel that:
- Is worst when you first get out of bed
- Improves after a few steps
- Throbs at the end of the day
Plantar fasciitis is common among athletes, those with a high body mass index, and those with jobs that require extended periods of standing.
Some treatment you can start to use at home includes:
- Massaging the heel and using NSAIDs to control pain
- Stretching the calf muscles and the plantar fascia
- 90 degree angle splinting of the ankle at night to keep the tissues stretched
- Heel cups or over the counter arch supports (shoe inserts)
- Foot muscle strengthening techniques
Roughly 90% of patients will respond to these non-operative treatments in 3-6 months. Surgery is only recommended as a last resort for those who have recurring symptoms that have not responded to non-operative treatments over time.
