Home Page

Date issued: December 2022 

Review date: December 2024

Ref: A-547/NB/ED/Plantar Fasciitis

PDF:  Plantar Fasciitis final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 125KB

What is plantar fasciitis?

• Plantar fasciitis means inflammation of the plantar fascia.

• This is a strong band of tissue (similar to a ligament) that stretches from the heel to the middle bones of the foot. It supports the arch of the foot. Small injuries to the plantar fascia can cause inflammation and symptoms.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

• Pain on the underside of the heel is the main symptom.

• The pain usually eases on resting the foot but is often worst when first used in the morning.

• Gentle exercise may then ease things a little as the day goes by, but a long walk often makes the pain worse.

• Sudden stretching of the sole of the foot may make the pain worse, for example, walking upstairs or on tiptoes.

Who gets plantar fasciitis?

• Plantar fasciitis is quite common particularly if you do lots of walking, running, standing, etc. Often there is no apparent cause, particularly in older people.

What is the treatment for plantar fasciitis?

• Usually, the inflammation and pain will ease in time. Fascia tissue, like ligament tissue, heals quite slowly.

• Rest the foot as much as possible.  

• Footwear. Do not walk barefoot on hard surfaces. Choose shoes with cushioned heels and a good arch support.  

• Heel pads. You can buy various pads and shoe inserts to cushion the heel. These work best if you always put them in your shoes. A pad in the shape of a horseshoe enables you can take your weight around the side of the heel and not apply pressure in the painful area 

• Painkillers such as paracetamol will often ease the pain. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen are useful.  

• Exercises. Regular gentle stretching of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia will help ease the symptoms. The following exercises will usually help:

1. Stand 2-3 feet away from a wall. Keeping the knees straight and feet and heels on the ground, lean onto the wall. You should feel the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon tighten. Keep this position for several seconds then relax. Do this about 10 times. Repeat this routine five or six times a day.
2. Sit in a chair with the knees bent at right angles and the feet and heels flat on the floor. Now lift the foot upwards with the heel kept on the floor. Again, you should feel the calf muscles and Achilles tendon tighten. This exercise uses a slightly different set of muscles to the above. Again, keep the position for several seconds then relax. Again, do about 10 times, five or six times a day.

• Injections. A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes tried if the pain remains bad despite the above measures.
• Surgery may be considered in very difficult cases. This is usually only advised if the pain has not eased after 12 months.

Please be Aware: it is very important that you see your doctor immediately if you notice that the calf becomes increasingly tender, red and hot to touch                                                          

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a rare complication following any injury which may limit your mobility. Symptoms to be aware of and to report include:

• throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh

• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)                                                                                               

• warm skin around the painful area                                              

• red or darkened skin around the painful area                            

• swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them

Call 999 or attend the Emergency Department if you develop chest pain or breathlessness.