RA
1
1
Mild severity
· Orthopedics
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain · Foot fascia inflammation
The thick band under the foot becomes irritated, causing stabbing heel pain — worst with the first steps in the morning.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 10 adults
- Typical age
- 40–60 years
- Outlook
- Self-limiting in months
- System
- Bones
Reviewed by a verified Orthopedics doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Obesity
- Long standing or walking
- High-arched or flat feet
- Tight calf muscles
- Worn-out shoes
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Sharp heel pain
- Worse with first steps in morning
- Improves with walking, returns
- Tender heel bone
- Tight Achilles tendon
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Heel stretches and calf strengthening
- Supportive footwear, arch supports
- Ice massage with frozen bottle
- Night splints
- Steroid injection or surgery rarely
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Maintain healthy weight
- Replace shoes every 600 km
- Stretch calves daily
- Strengthen foot intrinsics
Do’s
- Roll a frozen bottle under foot
- Wear cushioned shoes always
- Stretch calves before getting out of bed
- Lose weight if overweight
Don’ts
- Walk barefoot on hard floors
- Wear unsupportive flip-flops
- Ignore for over 6 months
- Push through sharp pain on runs
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all orthopedics doctors Top 4 doctors for Plantar Fasciitis
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
RS
2
2
BS
3
3
PP
4
4
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.