Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board

But exactly what is plantar fasciitis? Here we will look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options as well as how to prevent this common cause of foot arch pain.

What Is The Plantar Fascia?

The plantar fascia is a thick, tough, fibrous band made up of collagen fibres, which runs along the sole of your foot.  

Plantar fasciitis symptoms develop if too much strain is placed on the plantar fascia, usually from overuse or repetitive actions, causing small tears to develop in the collagen fibres. This results in swelling and inflammation. If the problem continues, it may develop into plantar fasciosis, which means there is chronic degeneration of the tendon rather than inflammation. 

Associated Problems

In approximately two-thirds of cases, plantar fasciitis symptoms are accompanied by the presence of a bone spur. 

People often mistakenly think it is the bone spur that causes the plantar fasciitis, but in actual fact, the bone spur develops as a result of the condition. 

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms often develop for the following reasons:

• Weight: Being overweight places more strain through the tendon
  
  
• Poor Foot Wear: Wearing shoes that are worn, lack good arch support and cushioning
  
  
• Exercise: Suddenly increasing the amount you exercise (frequency or intensity), or changing the surface you exercise on e.g. from track to road
  
  
• Age: It most commonly affects people between the ages of forty and sixty
  
  
• Gender: Women are twice as likely to suffer from it as men 

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

The most common of plantar fasciitis symptoms is pain that is worse after rest, either first thing in the morning or after sitting for long periods. In fact, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of morning foot pain.

This is because the fascia tightens slightly. As you walk around, it then stretches out slightly and symptoms often improve.  However, if you are on your feet too much, the plantar fasciitis symptoms return. 

Pain from plantar fasciitis is usually felt underneath the heel where the tendon arises from the heel bone, approximately four centimetres forwards from the back of the heel. It is usually tender to touch and there may be a hard lump under foot.

Plantar fasciitis symptoms are often worse when the foot and toes are pulled up (known as dorsiflexion) as this increases the tension on the tendon. Other activities where the plantar fascia is stretched e.g. standing on your tip toes or walking up stairs also tend to increase the pain.

Your doctor can usually diagnose the condition from talking to you about your plantar fasciitis symptoms and examining your foot. Occasionally, they may carry out other tests such as x-rays or ultrasound scan to rule out other causes of pain.

What Is The Best Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis treatment usually involves a combination of things including:

Differential Diagnosis

There are a number of other conditions that present with similar symptoms to plantar fasciitis such as:

• Achilles Tendonitis: inflammation & degeneration of the achilles tendon
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: narrowing of one of the nerve passages
• Posterior Tibial Tendonitis: inflammation & degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon
• Foot Cramps: involuntary spasms in the foot muscles
• Plantar Fibromatosis: nodules form in the plantar fasciia

You can find out more about each of these conditions in the foot arch pain section.

Prevention Strategies

In order to prevent the onset or recurrence of plantar fasciitis symptoms, there are a number of things you can do:

• Lose Weight: But only if you are overweight.  Always talk to your doctor before starting any weight loss programmes
  
  
• Exercise Appropriately: Avoid over training, particularly if you are just starting out and try and avoid hard surfaces
  
  
• Toe Stretchers: Products like the Yoga Toe or Happy Feet Toe Stretcher Socks help to stretch out the muscles and ligaments around the feet and realign the bones.  People often find they are a great way to reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis. You can find out more about how they work and read user reviews in the Toe Stretchers section.

What Else Can Help?

You can find out more about the best ways to treat and prevent plantar fasciitis in the plantar fasciitis treatment section including the most effective exercises, which shoe insoles work best, injections and when surgery is indicated.

If these plantar fasciitis symptoms aren't sounding quite like your problem, visit the foot pain diagnosis or foot arch pain sections for help working out what is wrong.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

• Ball Of Foot Pain
• Pain On Side Of Foot
• Nerve Pain In The Foot
• Swollen Feet & Ankles
• Foot Numbness
• Foot Lumps & Bumps
• Morning Foot Pain
• Foot Pain When Walking

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Page Last Updated: 3rd October, 2024
Next Review Due: 3rd October, 2026