Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain, occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, becomes inflamed. This tissue supports the arch of your foot and absorbs shock when you walk or run. When overstressed, it can develop small tears and inflammation, leading to pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. Pain is often worse in the morning or after periods of rest.

Common causes & risk factors

Plantar fasciitis can result from a variety of factors, including:

• Overuse or increased activity levels
• Flat feet or high arches
• Poor footwear with inadequate support
• Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons
• Prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces

It’s especially common among runners, teachers, retail workers, and others who are on their feet for long hours.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel
• Pain that’s worst with the first steps in the morning
• Discomfort after sitting or standing for long periods
• Pain that worsens after (not during) exercise

Diagnosis & evaluation

Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical history, and sometimes imaging like X-rays or ultrasound to rule out other conditions (e.g., heel spurs or stress fractures).

Treatment options

The majority of patients experience improvement without the need for surgery. Non-surgical treatment options include:

• Rest and activity modification
• Icing and anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching exercises: Especially for the calves and plantar fascia
• Orthotics or shoe inserts: To support the arch and reduce strain
• Night Splints: To keep the foot in a stretched position overnight
• Physical therapy: Focused on flexibility, strengthening, and gait correction
• Cortisone injections

Surgery is rarely needed but can be considered if other treatments fail.

Recovery & rehab

Our physical therapy team works with you to reduce pain, restore normal foot mechanics, and prevent recurrence. Your plan may include:

• Targeted stretching
• Strengthening exercises for the foot and ankle
• Manual therapy techniques
• Recommendations for supportive footwear

Most people see significant improvement within 6 to 12 weeks of consistent treatment.

Schedule an appointment

Our foot and ankle specialists are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis. We focus on personalized care plans that target the root cause, rehab strategies, and patient education to help you return to pain-free movement.

Call Iowa Ortho at 515-247-8400 or schedule an appointment online today.