The most common plantar fasciitis symptoms include pain in the sole of the foot and increased levels of discomfort in the morning. Plantar fasciitis symptoms may get worse if the person is on his or her feet all day and can flare up if the foot is placed in a stretched position. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis vary from minor discomfort only noticeable upon waking to debilitating pain that even affects ordinary walking.
Pain on the sole of the foot is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The pain can occur anywhere on the sole, but is most common at 1 or 2 inches in front of the heel. The area might be tender to touch, although this may not always be the case. Pain may also be located at the bottom of the heel.
A common sign of the condition is that the patient will often feel more discomfort during the morning. Plantar fasciitis symptoms usually get worse overnight because the heel tightens up when not in use. For this reason, the first few steps in the morning are sometimes very painful, although the pain should ease during the course of the day. If, however, the foot is not sufficiently rested or if the patient puts it under a large amount of stress, the symptoms may get worse instead of better.
Pain from plantar fasciitis will typically feel worse when the foot is placed in a stretched position. If, for example, a person suffering from plantar fasciitis symptoms walks up a flight of stairs on his or her toes, this causes the sole of the foot to stretch. The result will often be increased inflammation and pain.
In the worse cases, plantar fasciitis symptoms may cause a person to limp when walking. Walking can become especially difficult if the pain affects both feet, which is not uncommon. Most people, however, find that the symptoms get better as the sole of the foot warms up.
Plantar fasciitis symptoms often go away naturally, although healing can take several months. The process can sometimes be helped by using cold packs on the injured foot and gentle stretching. If, however, the symptoms don’t disappear over time, treatments such as a cortisone injection may be recommended. Plantar fasciitis symptoms can linger for a long time if the foot is continually reinjured, which is why a patient may need orthotics to correct any biomechanical problems.
