Heel pain can be more than a nuisance; it can disrupt your daily routine, keep you from your favorite activities, and even affect your sleep. One of the most common causes? Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that connects your heel bone to your toes.
At Great Lakes Orthopedics in Crown Point, IN, we specialize in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis and other foot and ankle conditions. Our team understands how frustrating heel pain can be and offers personalized, evidence-based treatments to help you move comfortably again. If you’re experiencing ongoing heel pain, we encourage you to schedule an appointment today.
Ready to learn if your heel pain could be a sign of plantar fasciitis? Here are seven common signs to watch for.
What Is Heel Pain?
Heel pain can develop for many reasons, but plantar fasciitis is the most common cause among adults. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes, becomes irritated or inflamed, often due to overuse or abnormal foot mechanics.
While some people feel a sharp, stabbing pain under the heel, others notice a persistent ache that worsens throughout the day. Pain is often most intense first thing in the morning or after long periods of sitting.
7 Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Wondering if your heel pain might be more than simple soreness? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel discomfort, and it often shows up in specific ways.
Here are seven common symptoms to watch for:
Morning Heel Pain
If you feel a sharp or intense pain in your heel when you first get out of bed, it’s a classic sign of plantar fasciitis. While you sleep, the plantar fascia tightens. When you stand and take those first steps in the morning, the sudden stretch can trigger significant discomfort. Many people describe it as a “stabbing” or “knife-like” pain that may ease slightly as they move around.
Pain After Sitting or Resting
You might notice your heel pain returns after sitting for long periods, like working at a desk, driving, or even watching a movie. The pain usually feels intense when you first stand up, but may loosen up a bit as you start walking. However, this cycle often repeats, making it frustrating to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Stabbing Pain Under the Heel
Many patients describe a sharp, pinpoint pain directly under the heel, often along the inside edge. This pain can make it difficult to put weight on the foot and can feel worse after activity or at the end of the day. Unlike general soreness, this type of pain is more focused and doesn’t typically spread to other parts of the foot.
Pain That Eases with Activity, Then Returns
It’s common to feel some initial relief once you “warm up” with a few steps or light movement. However, after longer periods of standing, walking, or exercise, the pain often comes back stronger. This pattern, improving briefly but worsening later, is a classic indicator of plantar fasciitis and can make staying active a challenge.
Tight Calf Muscles
Tightness in the calves is frequently linked to plantar fasciitis. When your calves are tight, they pull on the heel and increase stress on the plantar fascia. This can make the heel pain worse and contribute to a feeling of stiffness or heaviness in the lower leg. Many patients don’t realize their calves are tight until they start stretching them as part of treatment.
Tenderness at the Bottom of the Foot
Pressing along the arch or the heel area might reveal soreness or sensitivity to touch. This tenderness often feels more pronounced after a long day on your feet or after standing for extended periods. It may even make wearing certain shoes uncomfortable, especially those without adequate arch support.
No Visible Swelling or Bruising
Unlike a sprain or bruise, plantar fasciitis usually doesn’t cause visible changes in your foot. You won’t see much swelling or discoloration, which can make it harder to recognize as a serious issue. This is why paying close attention to patterns of pain, rather than waiting for obvious signs like bruising, is so important.
When Heel Pain Becomes a Medical Issue
While mild heel pain after a long day isn’t unusual, it’s important to know when discomfort signals a more serious problem. If your heel pain persists for more than two weeks despite trying rest, ice, or stretching at home, it’s time to consult a specialist.
Pain that interrupts your sleep or makes it difficult to carry out daily activities, like standing at work, grocery shopping, or simply walking around your home, is a strong sign you need professional care. You should also pay attention to any burning or tingling sensations in your heel or arch, which can indicate nerve involvement.
Difficulty walking or standing for even short periods, or a limp that develops to avoid putting weight on your heel, should never be ignored. Over time, untreated heel pain can change the way you walk (your gait), which may lead to pain in other parts of your foot, your ankles, knees, hips, or even your back.
If home remedies haven’t provided relief, seeing a foot and ankle specialist can help you find a targeted, effective solution before the problem worsens.
Causes and Risk Factors
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t happen overnight; it develops from repeated stress on the plantar fascia, the strong band of tissue that supports your arch and absorbs shock with each step. Several factors can increase your risk:
- Overuse from activity: Running, walking long distances, or standing on hard surfaces for extended periods puts extra strain on the fascia.
- Flat feet or high arches: Both foot shapes can affect how weight is distributed across your feet, making the fascia work harder.
- Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles: Limited flexibility in these areas increases tension on your heel and arch.
- Poor footwear: Shoes without adequate arch support or cushioning don’t protect the fascia properly, increasing the chance of irritation.
- Sudden changes in activity: Starting a new exercise program or dramatically increasing your activity level can overload the fascia before it has time to adapt.
- Jobs that require prolonged standing: Nurses, teachers, retail workers, and others who spend hours on their feet are at higher risk.
- Excess body weight: Extra weight puts added pressure on your feet, especially the plantar fascia.
Recognizing these risk factors can help you make informed decisions about footwear, stretching, and lifestyle habits to reduce your chances of developing plantar fasciitis.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Catching plantar fasciitis early helps prevent worsening pain and prolonged downtime. Timely foot pain diagnosis can:
- Prevent compensation injuries in the knees, hips, and back
- Reduce the risk of chronic plantar fasciitis
- Make conservative treatment more effective
- Minimize the need for invasive procedures
Treatment Options Available in Crown Point, IN
At Great Lakes Orthopedics, we understand that every case of plantar fasciitis is different. That’s why we offer a range of personalized treatments designed to reduce pain, improve foot function, and help you stay active. Our goal is to help you return to your daily activities with confidence and comfort.
Treatment options may include:
- Custom orthotics: Specially made shoe inserts that support your arch and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. These are tailored to your foot shape and walking style, providing targeted relief and preventing future strain.
- Physical therapy: A personalized program of stretches and strengthening exercises designed to improve flexibility, correct foot mechanics, and strengthen supporting muscles to reduce heel pain and prevent recurrence.
- Night splints: Devices worn while sleeping to keep your foot in a flexed position. This helps prevent the plantar fascia from tightening overnight, reducing sharp morning pain.
- Supportive footwear guidance: Advice on choosing proper shoes with the right support and cushioning for your foot type and daily activities. The right footwear can make a big difference in your recovery.
- Minimally invasive treatments: In cases where symptoms persist, we may recommend advanced options to reduce inflammation and promote healing, always aiming to use the least invasive approach possible.
- Patient education: We help you understand your condition and teach you ways to modify activities, stretch properly, and protect your feet long term. By learning how to manage your plantar fasciitis, you play an active role in your recovery.
If heel pain is keeping you from the activities you enjoy, schedule an appointment at our Crown Point office today. We’re ready to create a personalized treatment plan that works for you.
Why Choose Great Lakes Orthopedics?
At Great Lakes Orthopedics, we know that living with heel pain can limit your daily activities and impact your overall quality of life. You’re not just another case; we take the time to understand your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and goals so we can provide truly personalized care.
Under the leadership of foot and ankle specialist Dr. Curt Martini, our Crown Point location offers:
- Expert evaluation of heel pain causes: We look beyond symptoms to find the root cause of your pain and design a treatment plan that fits your needs.
- Advanced treatment for plantar fasciitis: From conservative options like custom orthotics and physical therapy to minimally invasive procedures, we offer the latest evidence-based solutions.
- In-house diagnostics and physical therapy: You can receive comprehensive care in one place, streamlining your treatment and improving outcomes.
- Compassionate, patient-centered approach: We focus on listening to your concerns and empowering you with knowledge, so you can play an active role in your recovery.
- Trusted care for Northwest Indiana: We proudly serve patients from Crown Point, St. John, Lowell, and surrounding communities, offering accessible, expert care close to home.
When you choose Great Lakes Orthopedics, you’re partnering with a team that truly cares about helping you get back on your feet and back to the activities you love.
Find Relief from Plantar Fasciitis at Great Lakes Orthopedics
If you’re noticing these signs of plantar fasciitis, you don’t have to live with ongoing heel pain. Our team at Great Lakes Orthopedics is here to help you regain comfort and get back on your feet.
Schedule an appointment today at our Crown Point location to explore your plantar fasciitis treatment options and start your journey toward pain-free movement.
