Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Plantar Fasciitis?
A podiatrist, a doctor who treats foot problems, or an orthopedic doctor, a doctor who treats bones and joints, often treats plantar fasciitis. A physical therapist, an expert in exercise and movement, can also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the foot at the heel. The plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch. When this tissue becomes swollen or inflamed, it is called plantar fasciitis.
A heel spur, a small bony growth on the heel, was commonly thought to cause the pain, but research has found that this is not the case.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp, and the bottom of the foot may also ache or burn.
The pain is often worse in these cases:
- In the morning when you take your first steps.
- After standing or sitting for a while.
- When climbing stairs.
- After intense activity.
The morning pain usually goes away after a few minutes of walking.
Causes and who gets it
Sometimes, too much pressure damages or tears the plantar fascia. The body responds to the injury with inflammation, which means swelling and irritation, and this causes the heel pain. In most cases, it develops without a specific, identifiable reason.
Some things make a person more likely to get it:
- New or increased activity, or repeated high impact activity such as running or dancing.
- Standing for long periods on hard surfaces.
- Flat feet or a high arch.
- A tight Achilles tendon, the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel.
- Obesity, or gaining weight suddenly.
- Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles.
It is most common among people aged 40 to 60.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor will examine your foot. They look for a spot of tenderness on the bottom of the foot, just in front of the heel bone. They may also notice flat feet, a high arch, or tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles.
X-rays can help rule out other causes of heel pain, such as a fracture or arthritis. MRI and ultrasound are not routinely used to diagnose plantar fasciitis.
Treatment
More than 90% of people with plantar fasciitis improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment methods. Simple steps include:
- Rest. Cutting back on the activities that make the pain worse is the first step.
- Stretching the calves and the plantar fascia, which is the most effective way to relieve the pain.
- Ice, such as rolling the foot over a cold water bottle.
- Pain medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Do not use them for more than 1 month without talking to your primary care doctor.
- Supportive shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning, soft heel pads, or shoe inserts called orthotics.
- A night splint, a brace worn while you sleep that stretches the plantar fascia.
- Physical therapy with exercises that stretch the calf muscles and plantar fascia.
If symptoms continue after several months, a doctor may suggest other treatments. One is a cortisone shot, a steroid medicine put into the plantar fascia. Cortisone shots can weaken the plantar fascia and cause a rupture, or tear, which can lead to flattening of the foot and chronic pain. Surgery is generally saved for people who have not improved after 12 months of aggressive nonsurgical treatment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have severe pain in the bottom of your foot or pain that stops you doing normal activities. See a doctor if the pain is getting worse, keeps coming back, or has not improved after 2 weeks of treating it yourself. Get checked if you have any tingling or loss of feeling in your foot. Foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes, so see a doctor if you have diabetes and foot pain.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can examine your foot and suggest first steps to try. If the pain does not get better, they can refer you to a physical therapist or a podiatrist.
Common questions
Do heel spurs cause plantar fasciitis?
No, heel spurs do not cause plantar fasciitis pain. Heel spurs show up on x-rays in people with and without plantar fasciitis. For this reason, the pain can be treated without removing the spur.
Why does my heel hurt the most in the morning?
Sleeping with your feet pointed down relaxes the plantar fascia, and this is one of the reasons for morning heel pain. A night splint stretches the plantar fascia while you sleep.
Will I need surgery for plantar fasciitis?
Most people do not need surgery. More than 90% of people recover with nonsurgical treatment, so surgery is generally saved for people who have not improved after 12 months of aggressive nonsurgical treatment.
Can plantar fasciitis be prevented?
Keeping your ankle, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles flexible can help prevent plantar fasciitis. Stretching the plantar fascia in the morning before you get out of bed can also help.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Plantar fasciitis
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs
- NHS - Plantar fasciitis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
