Does Plantar Fasciitis Go Away?

Having to suffer from the excruciating foot pain can be disconcerting – will your plantar fasciitis ever go away?

Our feet carry us wherever we go and yet they seldom get any of the attention they need. In fact, the upkeep of our feet goes beyond just cleaning and drying them.

For instance, we must also refrain from activities that may harm them. Not to mention, it’s essential to supportive sneakers that protect our arch.

You may be wondering how long this pain will persist if you have it, or if it will ever go away. Carry on reading to find out more!

Whether you are an athlete or a regular office worker, you are not an exemption. Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common condition as it can affect both passive and active individuals.

 

Specifically, too much strain and pressure on your foot contribute to the onset of this injury. By doing so, the tears of the tissues around your foot and ankle may cause heel or arch pain and stiffness.

Furthermore, plantar fasciitis is considered an overuse injury. It happens when the thick band of tissue that connects the heel to your toes is overstretched or overused, causing inflammation.

In turn, this can cause stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot or near your heel that may last for several months if left untreated.

 

Just like leg cramps, the stabbing pain caused by plantar fasciitis is at its peak upon waking up in bed in the morning. As such, it's possible that dealing with this pain may prevent you from participating fully in some of life's pursuits.

Yes, plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, as long as it’s managed properly.  The healing journey, however, might be influenced by several considerable factors.

 

Let's discuss each one independently.

As one gets more mature, the amount of time it takes for injuries and wounds to mend diminishes. This is because our body's capability to cure and restore ruined tissues declines.

 

Hence, precautionary measures should be taken into consideration when you are in the process of recovering from injuries.

The length of recovery from injuries, such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, may vary depending on their severity.

 

Understanding how severe the injury can be may give you more control over the pain and may help you through the healing process.

Your overall health condition is also one of the factors that may affect your recovery. This refers to your physical as well as your mental and social state of well-being.

 

If you consider yourself healthy in all of these aspects, then it is more likely that you will have a speedy recovery from certain injuries.

There are instances where plantar fasciitis may require medical intervention. You may schedule an appointment with your doctor or a physical therapist to assist you.

 

Following this, you should always be compliant with the treatment plan to help you recover from the injury faster.

With prudent intervention, the majority of the stricken individuals may recover in a few weeks to numerous months. Luckily, there are a variety of cures and treatments obtainable in addition to the actual regimen that could expedite the remedial course.

 

These include icing, foot stretches and mild exercises, footwear modifications, medications, injections, and surgery.

Rest and ice are commonly used as part of the treatment for plantar fasciitis. Rest helps reduce the stress and strain on the plantar fascia while ice can help reduce pain and inflammation.

As such, avoid activities that put a lot of stress on the plantar fascia, such as running or jumping. Instead, engage in low-impact activities like swimming, biking, or yoga.

Also, when applying an ice pack to the bottom of the foot, compress ice wrapped in cloth for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. You can also use a frozen water bottle to roll your foot over for a similar effect.

You may be asked to perform basic physical activities such as extending, lifting your heels, and doing seat exercises by your podiatrist. These light exercises may help relieve pain and discomfort.

 

This is because tightness in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Hence, stretching exercises that target these muscles can help to improve flexibility and reduce strain on the plantar fascia.

However, before doing so, you might want to ease up a bit. Check if the inflammation on your foot has calmed down and then start slowly.

You should know when to stop or when you are doing too much.

If the condition is recurrent, you might want to make changes to the type of shoes or insoles you wear. Avoid wearing old shoes since their soles are worn out and could not properly support your feet.

 

High-heeled shoes can also put a lot of pressure on your feet if worn frequently. But at Taos, all of our sandals are designed with foot health in mind; we even have a special collection of plantar fasciitis sandals.

Medications can be used to help manage the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, but they do not necessarily treat the underlying cause of the condition. It is important to note that while medications can be helpful in managing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, they are not a substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

If you are experiencing foot pain or discomfort, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Although steroid injections do not necessarily heal plantar fasciitis, they can give you prolonged relief from pain. The potency of steroid injections may last for a month. Afterward, you can get back to your activities once you get a shot.

Surgery is typically considered a last resort for the treatment of plantar fasciitis after more conservative treatments have failed.

 

The decision to proceed with surgery will depend on the severity of the condition, the amount of pain and disability it is causing, and the patient's overall health.

Plantar fasciitis surgery typically involves releasing the plantar fascia from the heel bone, either partially or completely. Surgery may be done through a variety of techniques, including open surgery or minimally invasive procedures.

Plantar fasciitis is extremely common; one out of ten people is diagnosed with the condition. If you are one of those who deal with this painful foot issue, you’re in luck. You’re able to prevent it from recurring with just a few simple tips.

• Proper exercise: If you are highly active and working out is part of your daily routine, then you might want to take it slow. You may switch from heavy workouts such as running to walking or swimming. And most importantly, always begin your workout with stretching.
   
• Elevate your feet: Putting your feet up is another way to rest those feet. It also improves blood circulation and reduces swelling.
   
• Lose Weight: Losing weight not only benefits your physical well-being but also reduces the chances of plantar fasciitis recurring. The lesser you weigh, the lesser stress you put on those ligaments.

For more tips, check out our guide: How to Avoid PF.

Having been burdened with plantar fasciitis for a long period is indeed distressing. But nevertheless, you should not lose faith.

 

If given the right care and attention, plantar fasciitis will go away on its own. During a period of 6-12 months, you will no longer have any pain and may go back to your usual activities.

Get medical attention immediately if you suspect you have it since untreated cases can progress to more serious conditions. When it comes down to it, you may expect to feel much better soon after using these plantar fasciitis treatments and tips.

Sources:

Larson, Jennifer. “Everything You Need to Know about Plantar Fasciitis.” Healthline, 2012, www.healthline.com/health/plantar-fasciitis.

Gerstein, A. D., et al. “Wound Healing and Aging.” Dermatologic Clinics, vol. 11, no. 4, Oct. 1993, pp. 749–57, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8222358/.

‌“Surgery for Plantar Fasciitis.” Nyulangone.org, www.nyulangone.org/conditions/plantar-fasciitis/treatments/surgery-for-plantar-fasciitis
 

Thomas, Martin J., et al. “Plantar Heel Pain in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Population Prevalence, Associations with Health Status and Lifestyle Factors, and Frequency of Healthcare Use.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, vol. 20, no. 337, July 2019, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2718-6.

“Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14709-plantar-fasciitis