What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus) is pain and inflammation on the bottom of the foot and heel from too much pressure on the foot. It tends to happen in kids and teens who do a lot of standing, running, or jumping or who wear shoes without good support.

Symptoms usually go away in a few months by resting the foot.

What Is the Plantar Fascia?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the front of the foot. It helps support the arch of the foot and absorbs pressure.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

Someone with plantar fasciitis may have pain and stiffness on the bottom of the foot, near the heel. The pain is often strongest first thing in the morning. It also can feel worse after standing or sitting for a long time, after exercise, or when climbing stairs. It usually feels a little better after walking for a few minutes. The pain may feel dull or sharp when stepping on the sore heel.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

When there’s too much pressure on the plantar fascia, it can get little tears, which can make it swollen and painful.

Things that can cause plantar fasciitis include:

• a lot of standing, running, or jumping
• lots of walking on hard or uneven surfaces
• shoes that don’t fit well or don’t have enough support (like flat sneakers that bend easily)
• going barefoot or not wearing shoes at home

Some conditions can make plantar fasciitis more likely to happen, including high arches, flat feet, tight calves, or obesity.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, doctors ask about symptoms and do an exam. During the exam, the doctor will press on the foot and move it in certain ways.

Sometimes kids and teens need imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI to see if a different kind of problem or injury is causing the foot pain.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis usually go away after a few months with simple treatment. The doctor may suggest:

• Wearing shoes with more arch support. Not going barefoot and avoiding flat slippers or flip-flops can help too.
• Putting insoles, heel pads, or a heel cup (a shoe insert that cushions the heel) into shoes.
• Keeping a splint on the foot at night to gently stretch the plantar fascia.
• Using crutches and a walking boot to take pressure off the foot and protect it as it heals.
• Decreasing or taking a break from activities that cause pain or put stress on the foot, like jumping, dancing, running, or standing for long periods of time. Exercises like swimming or bicycling may be more comfortable until the pain eases.
• Placing an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on bottom of the foot for 20 minutes three or four times a day.
• Taking over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.

The doctor may suggest that your child see a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist (a person who treats injuries from exercise) who can show them how to stretch and massage the foot. They also can recommend shoes with good support.

Some people may need an injection (shot) of steroid medicine, which can help reduce swelling and pain. It’s rare that someone would need surgery for plantar fasciitis.

Can Plantar Fasciitis Be Prevented?

After plantar fasciitis gets better, your child can help keep it from coming back by gently stretching the foot and calf before exercising. Wearing supportive shoes can also help.

Kids who run a lot should switch to new running shoes every season or as their feet grow (whichever comes first).

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor if your child:

• has pain that doesn’t go away with treatment or gets worse 
• gets any new symptoms