Does Plantar Fasciitis Resolve on Its Own?

Do your feet hurt? What about your heels? You might struggle with pain felt below or behind your heels, but not feel like the issue is significant enough to see a podiatrist.

Foot pain is common in adults in the United States, and for many, foot and heel pain results from the podiatry condition plantar fasciitis. Other issues can cause heel pain as well, but, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of this complaint in US adults.

Dr. Leonard Greenwald frequently sees patients with heel pain and plantar fasciitis at his podiatry practice in San Jose, California. For help with your heel pain, get in touch with Dr. Greenwald and receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Still not convinced you need to see a podiatrist for your heel pain? Here’s more information on plantar fasciitis to help you determine your best next steps.

Plantar fasciitis and heel pain

You have a plantar fascia in each foot. This thick band of tissue connects your heel bone to your forefoot. Actions like running and jumping put a lot of stress on this part of your foot.

Because your feet take so much daily wear-and-tear, issues related to repetitive stress tend to occur in this part of your body. Your plantar fascia can become over-stressed and inflamed, a condition known as plantar fasciitis.

Your plantar fasciitis symptoms may include pain felt in your heel, often worse when you take your first steps after resting for a longer interval. Plantar fasciitis that’s not treated can also cause you to develop calcium deposits known as heel spurs, adding to your pain and discomfort.

Recovering from plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis often affects individuals who put a lot of stress on their feet, including athletes who push for every ounce of performance. No matter what, living with heel pain isn’t fun. When you want your foot condition to improve, what do you need to do?

Dr. Greenwald typically recommends starting with the least invasive treatment plan to address your plantar fasciitis and podiatry care needs. This means that, in most cases, the first step is to rest.

Some cases of plantar fasciitis improve after a few days of rest. If not, you need Dr. Greenwald’s support in exploring your other options for foot care. If your symptoms don’t improve after two weeks of rest, you should contact a professional podiatrist!

More intensive treatments for plantar fasciitis

If conservative treatment options like rest, icing your foot, and physical therapy stretches don’t do enough to relieve your discomfort, or if Dr. Greenwald identifies your case as severe, your plantar fasciitis might take more intensive treatment options to repair. 

Treatments for plantar fasciitis include:

• Taping or splinting to support your foot
• A walking boot, cane, or crutches
• Custom orthotics to take pressure off key areas in your feet
• Corticosteroid injections for temporary pain relief

In rare cases, you may need surgical treatment to completely reattach your plantar fascia. Dr. Greenwald exhausts all other options for your treatment before recommending surgery.

Addressing your heel pain

If you’re suffering from heel pain related to plantar fasciitis, don’t plan on the problem going away on its own. Instead, consult with Dr. Greenwald and learn more about the treatments and therapies that will resolve your pain symptoms and restore your feet to full functionality.

You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenwald by calling our office today, or book your appointment online now.