Plantar fasciitis: causes, symptoms and treatments

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition refering to a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong fibrous band located beneath the foot.

This structure plays a key role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing impact during walking, running and daily activities. When subjected to excessive or repeated strain, it can become inflamed, leading to plantar fasciitis heel pain and significant discomfort.

At International Elite Care, we provide a personalised, high-level approach to diagnosing and managing foot pain due to plantar fasciitis, ensuring each patient receives tailored care adapted to their lifestyle and expectations.

Related treatment(s)

Understanding plantar fasciitis: symptoms and diagnosis

A precise and structured diagnosis is essential to understand plantar fasciitis symptoms, identify what causes plantar fasciitis, and guide the most appropriate treatment strategy.

During your initial consultation, a specialist in foot conditions will carry out a detailed clinical assessment.

This includes:

• The location and intensity of your plantar fasciitis pain
• When the pain occurs (morning, after rest, during activity)
• Your lifestyle, sports habits and professional constraints
• Any previous treatments attempted

Patients often describe symptoms such as:

• Sharp pain when taking the first steps in the morning
• A sensation of tension or burning under the foot
• Localised plantar fasciitis tenderness, particularly at the heel

In many cases, it feels like a stabbing or pulling pain under the heel that improves slightly with movement but worsens with prolonged standing or activity.

To confirm the diagnosis and assess severity, imaging tests may be recommended:

• Weight-bearing X-rays
• Ultrasound imaging
• MRI scans

This comprehensive approach ensures an accurate diagnosis of this foot disease plantar fasciitis, allowing us to define the most effective treatment pathway.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Understanding what causes plantar fasciitis is essential to both treatment and prevention.

Plantar fasciitis causes are often linked to excessive mechanical stress on the plantar fascia. Common contributing factors include:

• Wearing unsuitable or unsupportive footwear
• Prolonged standing or walking, especially on hard surfaces
• Flat feet or high arches
• Excess body weight
• Intensive sports activities (running, tennis, football, etc.)
• Tight calf muscles or insufficient stretching

In most cases, causes of plantar fasciitis are multifactorial. Identifying these factors allows for a targeted and effective management plan.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

Recognising the symptoms of plantar fasciitis early is key to preventing chronic pain.

The most frequent plantar fasciitis symptoms include:

• Persistent plantar heel pain and fasciitis, especially under the heel
• Pain after periods of rest or upon waking
• Increased pain after prolonged standing or exercise
• A feeling that plantar fasciitis hurt more intensely with activity
• Local swelling or sensitivity when pressing the heel

In more advanced cases, patients may experience severe discomfort, sometimes expressing that plantar fasciitis so bad I can’t walk.

Without appropriate care, symptoms may worsen over time, affecting mobility and daily quality of life.

How to treat plantar fasciitis effectively

If you are wondering how to treat plantar fasciitis, treatment usually begins with conservative, non-surgical approaches.

Non-surgical treatments

Most patients benefit from a personalised combination of:

• Physiotherapy and targeted stretching exercises
• Adapted footwear and orthotic insoles
• Activity modification and temporary rest
• Anti-inflammatory treatments

In more persistent cases, advanced medical options may be considered:

• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections to stimulate healing
• Shockwave therapy to promote tissue regeneration
• Corticosteroid injections for rapid pain relief

These approaches are effective in approximately 80% of cases.

Surgical treatment: a minimally invasive solution

When conservative treatments are insufficient, surgery may be recommended.

Modern techniques involve minimally invasive procedures designed to:

• Reduce tension in the plantar fascia
• Remove bone spurs if present
• Promote faster recovery

The procedure is typically performed under local or regional anaesthesia and lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. Patients can usually return home the same day.

This approach allows for:

• Faster recovery
• Reduced postoperative discomfort
• Early return to walking

Recovery and postoperative care

Recovery following plantar fasciitis surgery is generally straightforward.

Patients benefit from:

• Immediate weight-bearing with support
• Gradual return to daily activities
• Temporary pause in sports (around 4 weeks)
• Use of adapted insoles

Some residual discomfort may persist for up to three months, which corresponds to the natural healing process.

At International Elite Care, you benefit from continuous, personalised follow-up to ensure a smooth and confident recovery.

Frequently asked questions about plantar fasciitis