Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia by overloading or stretching. The plantar fascia is a thick ligament in the sole of the foot which connects the heel with the toes. This inflammation causes pain as you walk about, usually first thing in the morning, which flares up when standing after sitting for a long period.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Generally, this condition causes pain and rigidity in the lower part of the heel.
The pain is usually accompanied by the following symptoms in the lower part of the heel:
- slight swelling
- reddening
- tenderness
How is plantar fasciitis typically diagnosed?
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, the patient’s clinical history is evaluated and a physical examination is performed. The examination determines which stage the plantar fasciitis is at. Following this, the specialist performs a gait analysis and evaluates whether the inflammation of the plantar fascia is related to the way the patient walks. An X-ray scan or MRI scan might be performed to rule out bone problems and potential pinched nerves.
What are the main causes of plantar fasciitis?
The causes of plantar fasciitis is when the tension on the tissue becomes too great, causing inflammation. It is more likely to occur in people who:
- do sports frequently
- are obese
- have a tight achilles tendon
- have foot arch problem
Can plantar fasciitis be prevented?
This can be difficult to prevent, however, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the chances of this developing. However, if you frequently do exercises such as running, dancing, or aerobics, plantar fasciitis can develop. In addition, checking that the ankle, Achilles tendon and calf muscles are flexible may help to prevent plantar fasciitis. It may also be helpful to stretch the plantar fascia in the morning before you get out of bed and to perform physical activities in moderation.
Treatments for plantar fasciitis
There are different treatments for this condition but the first option considered is conservative treatments, including rest, applying ice to the painful area and stretching over several months. Massaging and stretching the fascia, can help to provide symptoms relief.
Other, more novel techniques are infiltration of growth factors, intratissue percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) and shock waves, which have all been demonstrated to be highly effective treatments in the acute phase.
Moreover, more and more tools are becoming available for the manufacturing of very precise individualised shoe insoles. One such technique uses a laser to obtain a virtual 3D mould of the patient’s foot.
In very specific cases in which none of the above treatments have worked, plantar fascia surgery should be performed. During this surgery, the tendon is partially or totally released or, if a heal spur is present, the heel spur is reduced. Non-surgical treatments reduce pain in almost all cases. It may take several months before symptoms improve. Some people require surgery to reduce the pain.
Which specialist treats it?
An orthopaedic specialist can help to treat plantar fasciitis.


The consequences of leaving plantar fasciitis untreated
By Mr Edward Dawe
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Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive strain injury that causes pain and discomfort on the bottom of your foot, around the heel and arch. While simple at-home treatments can usually resolve it, if it's left untreated it can become a chronic condition and lead to other foot problems. One of our top foot and ankle surgeons, Mr Edward Dawe explains more. See more


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Heel spurs: causes, symptoms, treatments and recovery
By Mr Matthew Solan
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Feeling pain and stiffness in your heel might mean you are part of the 10 percent of the population suffering from a “heel spur”. Mr Matthew Solan, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon based in London and Guildford, gives us an overview of what a heel spur is, what the causes are and the treatments that are available. See more
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Mr Paul Hamilton
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Bunion (hallux valgus)
- Achilles tendon
- Arthritis
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Morton's neuroma
- Plantar fasciitis
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Mr Edward Dawe
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Foot and ankle
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bunion (hallux valgus)
- Achilles tendon
- Ankle replacement surgery
- Minimally invasive techniques
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Mr Tarek El Gamal
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Foot and ankle
- Foot and ankle
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Achilles tendon
- Achilles tendon
- Bunion (hallux valgus)
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Mr Barry Rose
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Ankle
- Bunion (hallux valgus)
- Foot
- Sports injuries
- Achilles tendon
- Plantar fasciitis
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Mr Vail Karuppiah
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Minimally invasive bunion surgery
- Joint replacement
- Flat feet
- Ankle replacement surgery
- Plantar fasciitis
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- See all

Spire Little Aston Hospital
Spire Little Aston Hospital
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Total Orthopaedics
Total Orthopaedics
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Spire Little Aston Hospital
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Total Orthopaedics
1 Damson Parkway, B91 2PP, SolihullExpert in:
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