Heel Pain from Plantar Fasciitis and How to Treat It

Hi, I’m Dr. Zimmerman. I’m a foot and ankle specialist here to talk to you about plantar fasciitis today (also known as heel pain).

Plantar fasciitis or heel pain is generally pain in the bottom or the plantar side of the person’s foot. Typically patients have sharp shooting pain, generally worse in the morning or right after walking, in the bottom of their foot.

On the bottom of your foot there's a plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band that goes from your toes back to your heel. A lot of time people have pain in this portion of their heel associated with plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis generally is treated with conservative treatment, which can consist of:

1. Stretching
2. Icing
3. Appropriate shoe gear
4. Shoe inserts
5. Anti-inflammatories

When the patient is still having pain in that area, sometimes an injection into the area can also help. Generally if we continue to have pain and conservative treatment is not working, we move on to potentially doing an MRI or an ultrasound of the band. Depending on what that shows sometimes surgery is indicated. Surgery would potentially be indicated for a thick band that has not been improved with conservative treatment, and a lot of times the treatment for that is actually releasing the plantar fascia, similar to a carpal tunnel surgery.

Patients many times have heard that plantar fasciitis has also been referred to as heel spur syndrome. Patients get an x-ray and see on the bottom of their heel, they may see a spur. Through research and time we have learned that the heel spur itself is actually not the cause of the pain, but rather the plantar fascia, and that's why an important aspect of the whole treatment plan is stretching and wearing appropriate shoes.

If this is something you've been experiencing and your pain is not getting any better I do recommend seeing a foot and ankle specialist.

[persephone]

I had severe pain from plantar fasciitis for over 2 years, and incredibly painful heel spurs developed on top. I was nearly crazy and very distressed with it, and used to cry with the pain. It had a simple solution in the end, because none of these exercises and icing etc worked. Just wear heel orthotics. I bought a pair from the chemist for about £25 and I wore them every single day from the moment I got up to when I went to bed. They take a while to get use to, but you have to be diligent and wear them every single day from first stepping out of bed. After 3/4 months the pain just went away, the heel spurs and the plantar fasciitis. I continued to wear them for 18 months and now all is ok. It has been 2 years and the pain has not returned. Try to buy shoes with an inbuilt arch support for long-term use.

[jamesklinski]

I have wrapped an ace bandage around my foot. Supporting the arch. Did it for about 2 weeks. Onky took the bandage off for a shower. Got rid of it in 2 weeks

[NewsOnQueue]

How bad is the pain from this. From just am 8 hour shift the heels of both of my feet are in excruciating pain. Like 10/10 pain. I understand that you're going to experience some feet discomfort from standing for 8 hours but after about hour 3 the pain is rediculously unbearable. Even after taking 1000 mg of Tylenol it doesn't reduce the pain at all. The pain is in the heel of my feet, not just one or the other but both feet. The pain gets better if I'm able to walk but absolutely nothing helps when I'm standing there at the assembly line. Not even those expensive Dr shools inserts. It's crazy and makes it so hard to finish each day of work. I am 35 years old and shouldn't be in this much pain from just an 8hr work day. The pain goes away at break but returns within 10 minutes of going back out on the floor and working again. Sometimes the pain can go up into my kneecaps as well. It sucks so bad but my 3 kids need to eat. I have no choice as a single father.

[asimpahari]

I love playing soccer but I can’t perform my best with this issue

[annonymousunknown]

Wow thank you for this video and reading the comments really helped. After lock down ima make a appointment to see a foot doctor coz this pain is horrible. Sad u guys are suffering with me I pray for us all. May GOD protect us all from pain in the foot. 👣 and cronavires. 😷 GOD BLESS us all from cronavires expect Modi his a cronavires himself.

[scandal]

I kept stomping.. I thought I was invincible

[twentytwoapocalypse]

guys do calf stretch while pressing against wall with hands

[beautiful_ightmare]

Thought i was just getting a callus on bottom of heel..and bottom of my palm... i filed the callus but it still hurts and feels like I'm stepping on a rock in those 2 spots. What is it?? Just on left foot.. its like a straight line in both areas. Help!

[dellas]

I have sharp pain in the right inside heel especially when I bend over could it be this ?

[jamesluchs]

I can't stretch my right calf without experiencing excruciating pain in my right heel (below the Achilles tendon, not on the bottom of my foot). I would describe the pain as stabbing or burning. Is this a bone spur?

[JamesRMeans]

Doctor, can you talk about treatment effectiveness while still active (walking daily)? The rest and treatment combination?

[Detroytemelio]

I hate sitting down now cause when i get up my heel hurts i also can barely run or do anything without my heel hurting alot also when i get out of bed it hurts almost everything i do my heel will hurt LIKE ALOT and i have had this pain for 9 months😔

[soulysznnnn]

I have a bone tearing my fascia and it feels like this and it hurts so bad

[ramanjiramanji]

I love running but i c'nt do this problem

[denisefrancis]

Hi doctor I have gotten all of the treatments including the injection which has helped me greatly for a few months. Now the pain is coming back what do I do? Please help

[amkayss]

I have tarsal tunnel, I think I have planters fascist too? How would I know? MRI? My pain is all day. As the goes, my pain gets worse... I need my band cut. It's going on 2 years. Fist my Dr. Could not figure it out. Finally she sent me to podiatrist. This pain is horrible. I get shots, really doesn't last. 😟😟

[amietoohey]

I have pc (pachyonychia congenita) coud you do a video on that?

[adarshshrestha]

my xray and ultrasound looks absolutely normal but i cant stand on my right foot..what might be it sir?

[soulysznnnn]

I don’t have this but my bottom bone is crooked stabbing my ligaments and the pain is excruciating after I run

[dragonball]

Ummm mine is more the back side and down the heel and it's on both heels.