Main content Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

Topic Overview

Picture of the bones of the foot

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (say "PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") is the most common cause of heel pain. The Reference plantar fascia Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (Reference excessive pronation Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window).
You have high arches or flat feet.
You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
You are overweight.
You wear shoes that don't fit well or are worn out.
You have tight Reference Achilles tendons Opens New Window or calf muscles.

What are the symptoms?

Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps. But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.

If you have foot pain at night, you may have a different problem, such as Reference arthritis Opens New Window, or a nerve problem such as Reference tarsal tunnel syndrome Opens New Window.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will check your feet and watch you stand and walk. He or she will also ask questions about:

Your past health, including what illnesses or injuries you have had.
Your symptoms, such as where the pain is and what time of day your foot hurts most.
How active you are and what types of physical activity you do.

Your doctor may take an X-ray of your foot if he or she suspects a problem with the bones of your foot, such as a Reference stress fracture Opens New Window.

How is it treated?

No single treatment works best for everyone with plantar fasciitis. But there are many things you can try to help your foot get better:

Give your feet a rest. Cut back on activities that make your foot hurt. Try not to walk or run on hard surfaces.
To reduce pain and swelling, try putting ice on your heel. Or take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), naproxen (such as Aleve), or aspirin.
Do Reference toe stretches Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window, Reference calf stretches Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window and Reference towel stretches Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window several times a day, especially when you first get up in the morning. (For towel stretches, you pull on both ends of a rolled towel that you place under the ball of your foot.)
Get a new pair of shoes. Pick shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole. Or try heel cups or shoe inserts (Reference orthotics Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window). Use them in both shoes, even if only one foot hurts.

If these treatments do not help, your doctor may give you splints that you wear at night, shots of Reference steroid medicine Opens New Window in your heel, or other treatments. You probably will not need surgery. Doctors only suggest it for people who still have pain after trying other treatments for 6 to 12 months.

How long will it take for the pain to go away?

Plantar fasciitis most often occurs because of injuries that have happened over time. With treatment, you will have less pain within a few weeks. But it may take time for the pain to go away completely. It may take a few months to a year.

Stay with your treatment. If you don't, you may have constant pain when you stand or walk. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner your feet will stop hurting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about plantar fasciitis:	Reference What is plantar fasciitis? Opens New Window Reference What causes it? Reference What are the symptoms? Reference What increases my chance of getting plantar fasciitis? Reference Can plantar fasciitis be prevented? Reference What else could be causing my symptoms?
Being diagnosed:	Reference How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed? Reference Who can diagnose it? Reference When should I see a doctor about heel pain? Reference What tests could I need?
Getting treatment:	Reference How is plantar fasciitis treated? Reference What can I do treat it at home? Reference Reference What exercises can help reduce plantar fasciitis? Reference What medicines can help treat it? Reference Will I need surgery?
Ongoing concerns:	Reference Will my heel pain get worse? Reference Do I need to stop participating in sports or athletic activities?
Living with plantar fasciitis:	Reference What can I do at home to relieve my symptoms? Reference When can I return to a normal exercise program?

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference January 18, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Reference Barry L. Scurran, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.