Medical Services

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of sharp heel pain caused by degeneration or inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that supports the foot arch and connects the heel to the toes. It typically causes stabbing pain with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting, and pain often lessens with activity but can return after long standing or intense exercise.

Risk factors include increased activity (running, sudden training increases), high-impact sports, tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon, flat or high arches, overweight, and unsupportive footwear.

First-line treatment is conservative: rest, ice, NSAIDs, calf and plantar fascia stretching, supportive shoes or orthotics, and physical therapy; most people improve within months without surgery. For persistent cases, options include night splints, corticosteroid injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, minimally invasive procedures (e.g., Tenex), and, rarely, surgical plantar fascia release. Prevention focuses on gradual training increases, proper footwear, maintaining a healthy weight, and calf/foot flexibility exercises.