Do you ever feel a sharp or aching pain in your heel when you first get out of bed—or after a long day on your feet? You could be experiencing plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults.
This painful condition affects a band of tissue called the plantar fascia, which stretches from your heel to your toes. When this ligament becomes irritated or inflamed, the result can be stabbing foot pain that makes walking, running or even standing uncomfortable.
“Pain in your heel and the bottom of your foot can signal plantar fasciitis or other issues—such as a fracture, tendinitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or a cyst,” explains Jeffrey Levy, D.O., a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with Riverside Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists. “It’s important to find out what’s causing your heel pain and make sure you have the best treatment.”
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is most often caused by repetitive stress or abnormal foot mechanics. You may be at greater risk if you:
- Have flat feet or high arches
- Spend long hours standing or walking on hard surfaces
- Are overweight or obese, increasing strain on the feet
- Participate in activities like running or aerobics without proper warmup
- Wear shoes with poor arch support or thin soles
- Have tight calf muscles or limited ankle flexibility
All of these factors place added tension on the plantar fascia, leading to inflammation and chronic heel pain.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis symptoms usually come on gradually. For many people, pain is most noticeable:
- First thing in the morning or after long periods of sitting
- Along the bottom of the heel or arch of the foot
- After long periods of standing or walking
- During exercise or after a workout
- With swelling or tenderness in the heel area
While the pain may ease as you move around, it often worsens over time if left untreated. Some people begin changing the way they walk to compensate, which can lead to additional problems in the knees, hips or back.
How Plantar Fasciitis Is Diagnosed
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your foot and ankle specialist will:
- Ask about your symptoms and activity level
- Examine your foot for tenderness, flexibility and arch support
- Order X-rays or imaging studies to rule out other conditions
First-Line Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
Many people find relief from plantar fasciitis heel pain with at-home remedies and guidance from their orthopedic specialist.
Initial treatment recommendations may include:
- Rest and activity modification to reduce stress on the fascia
- Ice therapy—20 minutes several times a day, or rolling a frozen water bottle under your foot
- Supportive footwear with good arch support and a slightly raised heel
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Stretching exercises targeting the calf, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia
“Stretching is the most effective treatment for plantar fasciitis,” says Dr. Levy. “Stretching eases pain, assists with recovery and reduces the chance of recurrence. We’ll show you how to stretch out your calf muscles and your Achilles tendon, which connects those calf muscles to the heel bone. We’ll also show you how to stretch the plantar fascia.”
Additional Nonsurgical Treatments
If symptoms persist after several weeks of conservative care, your provider may recommend:
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- Night splints to keep the plantar fascia gently stretched while you sleep
- Walking boot or cast to offload pressure from the foot
- Taping and strapping to support the foot during activity
- Shoe inserts or custom orthotics to address structural issues
- Physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility
Most people experience significant improvement within a few months of nonsurgical treatment.
When Is Surgery Needed for Plantar Fasciitis?
Surgery is rarely required, but it may be considered if pain remains severe after 6–12 months of consistent noninvasive treatment.
“With this procedure, our goal is to relieve the tension on the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes,” says Dr. Levy. “We remove or release the diseased portion of the tissue that is responsible for the pain. This procedure is for people who still have severe pain after trying all other nonsurgical treatments.”
Plantar fascia release is typically performed as outpatient surgery. After surgery:
- You’ll go home with a boot, splint or special shoe
- Normal weight-bearing often resumes within 2–3 weeks
- Full recovery continues with stretching, footwear guidance, and gradual return to activity
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis from Coming Back
Once you've healed, it’s important to prevent future flare-ups. These steps can help:
- Wear supportive shoes at all times—even at home
- Replace worn-out footwear regularly
- Stretch your calves and plantar fascia daily
- Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces
- Warm up before high-impact activity
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your feet
Find Relief from Heel Pain at Riverside
If you're living with chronic heel pain, don’t wait to seek care. At Riverside Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists, our foot and ankle experts offer the latest options for diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis, from conservative therapies to advanced procedures.
Call 757-534-9988 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Levy or request a consultation online.
