What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

7 July 2015

The symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis are similar to any condition of the foot caused by wear and tear in that they come about gradually, worsening over time. Plantar Fasciitis symptoms can appear in one or both feet and the signs of the condition can vary in person to person and over a period of time. Plantar Fasciitis as brought about by injury will often differ in its pain symptom to a case caused by smaller injuries over the course of a longer period.

Main Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms:

Stiffness: A major symptom in sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis, regardless of other, differing symptoms, is a distinct stiffness and pain in the bottom of the heel. Often pain will be localised to this area, but it may also spread to other areas of the foot.

Pain: Pain and discomfort is a major symptom of Plantar Fasciitis, but the type of pain tends to vary from patient to patient. Some report a sharp, stabbing pain while others may experience a dull ache in and around the heel. The severity of the pain can depend on what stage of the condition you are in, as it may worsen over time and is most apparent when the heel bears any weight.

First-Step Pain: First-Step Pain is used to refer to a heightened pain or discomfort when taking the first steps of the day after waking in the morning. Sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis will likely find that the pain is worse after resting for a long period, just as they may find it lessens when undertaking light exercise or stretches before increasing again if standing or walking for extended periods.

Redness and Bruising: While this may not be present in every case, bruises or redness around the heel area can be a symptom of Plantar Fasciitis, if this bruising shows no sign of healing or does not respond to usual treatment, it may be a symptom of this foot condition.

Limping: A natural response to a hurting heel, patients may find they start to limp to lessen the strain on their foot. Sudden strains like walking on tip-toes in an attempt to accommodate a limp, however, can often aggravate symptoms.

Precise pressure points: As part of the diagnoses of Plantar Fasciitis, your healthcare provider will apply pressure to the underside of your foot. Plantar Fasciitis will lead to pain in specific areas of your foot, and not in others, sensitivity in these particular spots will be symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis and not any similar foot condition.

Managing the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Easing the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis generally involves a balance of rest, gentle massage and icing the area several times a day, anti-inflammatories or pain-killers can help make discomfort more bearable. It it highly recommended that all patients of Plantar Fasciitis implement a suitable insole in their everyday shoe, to support and cushion the foot as it recovers from any symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis, which can take anything from a few weeks to several months, and also lessen the chances of the condition occurring again.

A range of insole to help alleviate the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis are available at our store.