Plantar Fasciitis

Prevention

You can help to prevent plantar fasciitis by maintaining a healthy weight, by warming up before participating in sports, and by wearing shoes that support the arch and cushion the heel. In people who are prone to episodes of plantar fasciitis, exercises that stretch the heel cord (known as the Achilles tendon) and the plantar fascia may help to prevent plantar fasciitis from returning. Ice massage also can be used on the sole of the foot after stressful athletic activities. It is possible that strict control of blood sugar will prevent plantar fasciitis in people with diabetes, although this has not been proven.

Treatment

Most doctors recommend an initial six- to eight-week program of conservative treatment, including:

• Stretching exercises to lengthen the heel cord and plantar fascia

• Ice massage to the sole of the foot after activities that trigger heel pain

• A temporary switch to swimming and/or bicycling instead of sports that involve running and jumping

• Shoes with soft heels and inner soles

• Taping the sole of the injured foot

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and other brand names) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain

• Physical therapy using electrical stimulation with corticosteroids or massage techniques

If this conservative treatment does not help, your doctor may recommend that you wear a night splint for six to eight weeks. While you sleep, the night splint will keep your foot in a neutral or slightly flexed (bent) position to help maintain the normal stretch of the plantar fascia and heel cord. If the night splint doesn't work, your doctor may inject corticosteroid medication into the painful area or place your foot in a short leg cast for one to three months. If all else fails, your doctor may suggest surgery, but this is rare, and surgery is not always successful.