How can you tell if you have plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the underside of the foot, mostly in the heel, particularly at the heel’s inside edge. The back of the heel may become quite tender as well. A slight swelling may occur where your heel meets your instep. Usually, most of the pain from plantar fasciitis occurs near the heel, since that is the spot where the plantar fascia is thinnest and where it withstands the most pressure. The first few steps taken after getting out of bed are generally the most painful. With these first steps of the day, you may feel a piercing sensation along with a pulling at your heel. The pain can be quite sharp, as if you just stepped on a sharp rock while barefoot. As you move on with your day, the heel pain may lessen and often disappears. The discomfort can return, however, after prolonged walking and standing, and resting may only bring temporary relief. The pain can actually be more intense after resting. And even if all soreness disappears during the day, the tenderness may resume once again in the evening, even if you manage to stay off your feet.
You may also develop “heel spurs” as a result of the plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs are calcium deposits which result from the inflamed plantar fascia being pulled and strained where it attaches to the heel. The heel spurs form at the front of the heel and can be felt through palpitation. Heel spurs themselves do not hurt, and do not cause plantar fasciitis. They are instead a symptom of it.