Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It occurs when you strain the plantar fascia, the ligament that supports the arch of your foot. This causes pain in the heel or the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is especially common if:
You run or walk on hard surfaces frequently
You have high arches or flat feet
You wear shoes that don't fit well or are worn out
You have tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons
You are overweight
You tend to roll your feet inward when you walk
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain that is worst when you take your first steps out of bed in the morning, when climbing stairs, or after being on your feet for long periods of time. It can occur in one foot or both. Conservative treatment options include oral anti-inflammatory medication, straps or gel heel cups, night splints, steroid injections, stretching, or physical therapy.
Surgical procedures are also an option to consider if conservative treatments do not provide benefit. These procedures are minimally invasive, and recovery time is usually about 4 weeks.
