What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot from your heel bone to your toes. It is the most common cause of heel pain, producing a sharp, stabbing ache that is usually worst with your first steps in the morning. It happens when this tough band is repeatedly overstretched or develops small tears.
The plantar fascia is one of the hardest-working structures in your body, supporting your arch and absorbing shock with every step. When the tissue is strained beyond what it can tolerate, it becomes irritated and inflamed. Left unaddressed, that ongoing tension at the heel can also contribute to the formation of a heel spur, a small bony growth where the fascia attaches. The good news is that the large majority of cases improve with conservative, nonsurgical care — especially when treatment starts early. If your heel pain overlaps with other symptoms, our general heel pain guide can help you compare possible causes.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The hallmark symptom is a stabbing heel pain that is sharpest with your first steps after waking or after long periods of rest, then often eases as you move. Pain typically centers on the bottom or inner edge of the heel. Common signs include:
- Stabbing pain on the heel, near the heel, or on the bottom of the foot
- "First step pain" — a sharp jolt when you stand up after sleeping or sitting
- Pain that flares up after exercise rather than during it
- Discomfort after prolonged standing, walking, or sitting
- Heel tenderness that improves with gentle movement but returns after rest
What causes plantar fasciitis, and who is at risk?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by repeated strain on the plantar fascia that leads to irritation and small tears. Runners and athletic people are at higher risk because of repeated impact, but the condition is also very common in people who are overweight or who spend long hours on their feet. Factors that raise your risk include:
- Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles that increase pull on the heel
- Flat feet or high arches that change how weight loads the fascia
- Frequently wearing high-heeled or worn-out, unsupportive shoes
- An unusual walking pattern or foot positioning
- Being overweight or obese, which adds load to the arch
- Being age 40 or older
- Exercise or activity that places excessive strain on the fascia
- Jobs that require extended standing or walking on hard surfaces
Plantar fasciitis is more common among women than among men. Because tight calf muscles and poor arch support are frequent contributors, Achilles tendon problems and flat feet often go hand in hand with plantar fasciitis.
How do we diagnose plantar fasciitis?
We diagnose plantar fasciitis with a hands-on physical examination and a review of your symptoms and medical history — imaging is not usually required. During the exam, your podiatrist locates the exact point of tenderness, checks your arch and range of motion, and assesses how you walk to understand the strain on your foot.
In some cases we order imaging such as an X-ray or MRI. These studies do not confirm plantar fasciitis directly, but they help pinpoint the source of pain and rule out other causes of heel pain, such as a stress fracture, nerve entrapment, or arthritis. Getting the diagnosis right matters, because heel pain has several possible causes and each is treated differently.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
The great majority of plantar fasciitis cases resolve with nonsurgical treatment, so we start with the most conservative options and advance only if your pain persists. A typical plan combines at-home measures with in-office therapies tailored to how long you have had symptoms and how active you are.
Nonsurgical treatment
- Rest, ice, and activity changes to calm the initial inflammation
- Stretching and physical therapy for the plantar fascia and calf
- NSAIDs and other medications to reduce pain and swelling
- Custom orthotics and supportive footwear to offload the arch — see our custom orthotics options
- Night splints that keep the fascia gently stretched while you sleep
- Corticosteroid injections for stubborn, focused pain
In-office & minimally invasive options
For heel pain that has not responded to first-line care, we offer advanced in-office treatments that can help you avoid open surgery:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) — sound-wave energy that stimulates healing in the fascia without incisions
- The Tenex procedure — a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided technique that removes damaged tissue through a tiny opening, typically under local anesthesia
Surgery
Surgery is rarely needed and is reserved for the small number of cases that do not improve after an extended course of conservative care. When appropriate, the procedure involves partially releasing the plantar fascia from the heel bone to relieve tension. Our physicians will always exhaust nonsurgical options first and discuss the risks and benefits with you before recommending surgery.
What is recovery from plantar fasciitis like?
Most people recover from plantar fasciitis without surgery, though it takes patience — meaningful improvement often unfolds over several weeks to a few months of consistent treatment. Sticking with your stretching routine, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, and easing back into activity gradually are the biggest factors in a lasting recovery.
Because the plantar fascia is under load every time you stand, doing too much too soon is the most common reason symptoms linger or return. If you have advanced in-office treatment such as shock wave therapy or the Tenex procedure, we will give you specific, personalized aftercare guidance so you know exactly what to expect at each stage.
When should you see a podiatrist for heel pain?
See a podiatrist if heel pain lasts more than a week or two of home care, keeps you from your normal activities, or returns each morning. Early treatment is more effective and can prevent a short-term problem from becoming a chronic one.
You should seek care sooner if you have severe pain, swelling, numbness or tingling, signs of infection, or heel pain following an injury — these may point to a different or more serious condition. People with diabetes or poor circulation should have any new foot pain evaluated promptly. When you are ready, you can request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians focus exclusively on the foot and ankle, from everyday heel pain to complex reconstructive care.
That focus lets us offer the full range of plantar fasciitis treatment under one roof — from custom orthotics and physical therapy to in-office shock wave therapy and the minimally invasive Tenex procedure — so your care can advance without a referral elsewhere. We treat patients from both of our clinics; learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.
