What Are The Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis?

In my experience as a podiatrist, the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis are as numerous as the people who develop the condition.  Common ones I’ve come across include people changing their level of activity e.g. taking a job as a mail man after previously working behind a desk. One man I treated was overweight and had been very sedentary. He decided to take up speed-walking, but soon developed painful feet.

Another lady had been very active, playing netball several nights a week.  But she had to have an unrelated abdominal operation (hysterectomy) so was unable to play sports for several weeks. After her recovery time was over she went back to playing netball exactly as before, and rapidly developed plantar fasciitis. 

Yet another patient had changed his kitchen flooring from carpet to ceramic tiles – which are much harder and unyielding – and as a result developed plantar fasciitis. 

I would say that changes in occupation, increase in activity levels and weight gain are probably the most common general causes of plantar fasciitis.

Can plantar fasciitis be treated?

The good news is that plantar fasciitis very commonly gets better on its own – this condition is what is called self-limiting. The bad news is that once you’ve had an episode, you are very likely to suffer with plantar fasciitis again. One reason for this increased vulnerability is that you may have residual damage that doesn’t quite heal, and so plantar fasciitis flares up from time to time. The other reason is if the cause – whether that is to do with foot function, footwear or excessive weight - has not been addressed.

Self-help

Firstly, combat inflammation with RICE – rest, ice (such as a bag of frozen peas applied to the foot), compression and elevation (sitting with your foot up to drain away with fluid). Non-prescription painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin or ibuprofen help some people, but not all.

Regularly rolling a chilled drink can under the arch also reduces discomfort and inflammation.  Circling your feet in the air to stimulate circulation before you stand up after sleep or rest, can help reduce the pain of those first few steps.

Professional help for plantar fasciitis

These self-help measures deal only with symptom relief while the body heals itself – they do not address the cause of plantar fasciitis. As mentioned, if the cause remains untreated, you are at high risk of suffering another episode.

They can perform tests to rule out other conditions such as fractures and nerve entrapment syndromes, or refer you to someone who can.  

If they confirm a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis they can analyze your gait (walking pattern) and provide you with orthoses (insoles to wear in your shoes) and exercises to prevent further attacks of plantar fasciitis. They may also be able to offer symptomatic relief with ultrasound, injections of steroids or local anesthetic, or extra corporeal shock wave therapy.  As a last resort they may refer you for surgery to treat your plantar fasciitis.