5 Signs Your Heel Pain Is Plantar Fasciitis

Feb 09, 2023

Plantar fasciitis is one of many foot conditions that can cause uncomfortable heel pain. So how do you know if it’s behind your discomfort? Read on to learn what plantar fasciitis is and five of its most common signs.

Plantar fasciitis may be the most common cause of heel pain, but it’s not the only one. This condition develops because of problems with the plantar fascia, which is a tough band of tissue found along the sole of the foot.

In this blog, our expert providers at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle in Corona and Ontario, California, explain what plantar fasciitis is, some of its most common symptoms, and what its treatment options are.

Understanding plantar fasciitis

While plantar fasciitis often causes heel pain, it actually results due to problems with a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a thick, stretchy ligament that connects your toes and the ball of your foot to your heel. It puts the spring in your step and absorbs stress.

However, there’s only so much stress the plantar fascia can take. If overused, overstretched, or damaged in some way, this tissue can swell and make it difficult to walk or use your foot in any way.

Leading causes of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Being between 40-60 years of age
  • Spending a lot of time on your feet
  • Working or exercising on hard surfaces
  • Participating in certain sports, such as long-distance running
  • Wearing shoes with poor foot support or going barefoot
  • Being overweight, obese, or pregnant
  • Having other foot conditions, such as high arches or flat feet

Over time, these things can cause small tears in the plantar fascia, which is when those telltale symptoms of plantar fasciitis start in your heel or the back of your foot.

Five common signs of plantar fasciitis

By far, the most common sign of plantar fasciitis involves stabbing or shooting heel pain. This pain is also fairly specific. For example, it’s often worse after periods of inactivity, especially after sleeping, and improves after a few minutes of walking around. However, plantar fasciitis pain typically returns as soon as you stop using your foot.

The four other leading signs of this condition include:

  • Stiffness
  • Swelling around the heel
  • Tightness in the Achilles tendon
  • Pain in the arch of the foot

Plantar fasciitis pain typically affects one foot, though it can be an issue in both.

Diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis

Fortunately, our skilled team can take the guesswork out of what’s causing your heel pain during an office visit. 

After reviewing your medical records and discussing your symptoms, we conduct a physical exam to look for signs of plantar fasciitis. We also order diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, if needed.

Once we reach a diagnosis, we create a treatment plan specifically for you based on the severity of your symptoms and underlying cause. Most of the time, plantar fasciitis responds to a combination of conservative treatments, such as:

  • Icing and medication
  • Rest and activity modification
  • Stretching and physical therapy
  • Custom orthotics 
  • Night splints
  • A cane, crutches, or walking boot
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Ultrasonic tissue repair
  • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy

For severe cases or those that don’t respond to conservative therapies, we could suggest surgery.

Do you have heel pain? We can get to the bottom of it and help you get relief. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Advanced Care Foot and Ankle today.