What Happens If Plantar Fasciitis Is Not Treated?
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you may have questions about the treatment options available. Most people can recover with conservative treatment. However, if you’re not feeling any improvement in the condition, you may want to seek treatment. Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options.
Heel spurs
Heel spurs are painful growths on the heel bone caused by plantar fasciitis, which affects the plantar fascia and calcaneus. The growths occur when pressure builds on the plantar aponeurosis that connects the heel bone to the arch. The condition may result from long-term stress placed on the plantar fascia.
Heel spurs are small bony growths that develop on the heel bone. They appear on x-rays as a knob or a lump. These growths are not the cause of the pain on the heel, as tissue surrounds them. X-rays show that many patients with plantar fasciitis also develop heel spurs visible on x-rays.
Heel spurs are common in older individuals and people with diabetes mellitus. The condition can affect women as well as men. Women are more likely to develop heel spurs than men. The presence of calcaneus spurs also increases the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis.
There are several treatment options. One method is to use Kinesio taping. This treatment involves wearing a stretchy tape that guides joint movement and improves proprioception. It is widely used and safe. If you are uncomfortable with the tape, you can also try other methods to relieve the pain in your heel.
There are two main types of heel spurs. The first is a large spur that becomes painful when the foot is in motion. It may even become a weight-bearing point. The second type is much smaller and has less painful symptoms. In addition to wearing slippers on hard surfaces, you can try losing weight or altering your daily habits to improve your condition.
- Immediately relieves plantar fasciitis heel pain from plantar fasciitis & heel spurs treating pain directly at the source. Prevents plantar fasciitis from coming back.
- Distributes foot pressure evenly across the foot, reducing pressure from the forefoot to the heel as you walk.
- Shock-absorbing deep heel cup manages heel inflammation, reduces stress and provides both cushioning and stability to the foot. Arch support hugs your foot in just the right spot to stop the plantar fascia from overstretching. Provides support across arch types, including high arches.
- Reduces morning plantar fasciitis pain.
- Full-length insole that can be easily trimmed to fit your shoe size.
Last update on 2025-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rupture
If you’re experiencing pain in your heel, you might be at risk of plantar fascia rupture. While this condition usually takes months to heal, it can be resolved with proper treatment. A 2004 study of 18 patients found that most patients could return to normal activities within four to 26 weeks. A removable cast boot is often recommended during this recovery period.
MRI most often identifies a rupture of the plantar fascia. This test can determine the exact location and extent of the rupture. The coronal and sagittal images can show the attachment points of the plantar fascia and its entire course. Sagittal images can also show the lateral fascia and medial band.
A rupture of the plantar fascia is not a common event. Symptoms of a rupture include intense pain in the foot’s arch, bruising, and difficulty walking. You must get medical attention immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe a boot or recommend that you rest your foot for a few days.
Conservative treatment will help in 90% of cases, but if the condition is left untreated, the healing time will take longer and may cause more complications. Left untreated, inflammation and stress on the plantar fascia can lead to small tears in the fascia. These tears will eventually grow in size and number, making the plantar fascia prone to rupture.
A rupture of the plantar fascia can be painful and cause permanent damage. It can happen spontaneously or after a period of non-treatment. The condition can also develop into heel spurs if you don’t treat it immediately. When left untreated, heel spurs can develop, an unpleasant result of plantar fasciitis.
- Designed for those who want to massage their plantar fascia area
- Therapy for your feet: soothes muscle soreness and helps increase circulation
- Can be filled with hot, cold, or room temperature tap water. Use cold to reduce inflammation. Use hot to reduce soreness.
- Nubbed and smooth. The nubbed section provides a stimulating massage as you roll the ball back and forth under your foot. The ball also comes with a sure-grip band for easier grip on smooth surfaces while creating a gentle massage.
- Dishwasher safe. Not SAFE to microwave or fill with anything other than water. Exceeding water temperature guidelines may result in scalding or other injury.
Last update on 2025-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Inflammation
If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, it can lead to chronic heel pain. People may change their walking patterns to compensate for the pain. Over time, this may lead to other problems like knee and back pain. You can do some simple things at home to alleviate the pain and inflammation. For example, try icing the heels and doing a foot massage. You can also use a foam roller to massage the affected area.
A cortisone shot may help reduce the pain. This medication is temporary and only works for three to six months. By that time, the problem usually clears up. Other treatment options include physical therapy and joint mobilization. Platelet-rich plasma injections, which use the patient’s own blood cells to treat damaged tissue, may also be helpful.
The condition may develop into a chronic problem if treatment is not initiated quickly. Fortunately, many people are cured by conservative treatments, which can alleviate the pain and limit the damage to the plantar fascia. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
There are several causes of plantar fasciitis. A majority of patients carry excess body weight. This causes the foot to carry more weight than it should, and the calf muscles are forced to work harder. Tight calf muscles exert more pressure on the heel bone at the Achilles tendon, which leads to heel pain.
Home treatments and lifestyle changes can ease the discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. Low-impact exercise, appropriate footwear, and a healthy weight can reduce the likelihood of plantar fasciitis. If the symptoms persist, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Shockwave therapy may also be recommended.
Heel pain
The diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis are complex, but there are some self-care techniques to help ease the symptoms. Using ice to compress the area three or four times a day for 15 minutes can be effective. It is important to wrap the ice pack with a moist towel to reduce irritation. Another self-care remedy is to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If none of these treatments are effective, you can see a doctor and have your condition evaluated.
Other options include physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can prescribe certain exercises and taping to decrease pressure on the heel. Physical therapy may also be recommended to strengthen the muscles in the foot and ankle. In some cases, a corticosteroid injection may be necessary. In other cases, the condition can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). These treatments can help with the pain and inflammation, but they do not completely eliminate it.
A doctor may suggest custom orthotics or other treatments if treatment fails to relieve your heel pain. These treatments are effective for most people with plantar fasciitis. In some cases, patients with mild symptoms will be cured without surgery. A doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter pain reliever, anti-inflammatory medications, or prescribed stretching exercises to help the foot heal.
Plantar fasciitis is a common form of heel pain. Many people suffer from it if they engage in high-impact sports or other activities. These activities put additional pressure on the plantar fascia ligament, which connects the heel bone to the toes. If the pain persists for a long time, the condition may worsen, leading to scar tissue that is more difficult to treat. Additionally, plantar fasciitis may lead to pain in other parts of the body. This may affect your ability to walk and your knees, hips, and back.
Shock wave therapy
Shock wave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for treating heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. It generates microtrauma in the inflamed area and triggers the body’s healing response. It also stimulates nerve endings and improves cell permeability. It’s a noninvasive treatment that can dramatically reduce the pain you feel from plantar fasciitis. It’s also safe and is a good option for people who don’t like to take medication.
While it’s still too early to determine the effectiveness of shockwave therapy, some studies show that the treatment may be beneficial in some cases. Patients may experience significant relief from pain after one or two sessions. However, to experience full relief, patients typically need three to six sessions once a week. Some people may experience mild side effects, such as bruising or skin redness. In some cases, discomfort during ESWT may last up to 24 hours.
Shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis is effective in reducing pain. While no studies show that shockwave therapy alone is effective, it is more effective when combined with other treatments. In addition to reducing pain, shock wave therapy may help promote long-term healing when combined with physical therapy.
While shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis can be effective in some cases, patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor before receiving shockwave therapy. Patients with a history of heart disease, neuropathy, or seizure should not undergo shockwave therapy. They should have a consultation to discuss all their options.
The procedure is noninvasive and lasts less than 20 minutes. A technician places a probe on the skin to deliver a controlled shock. The process may result in clicking sounds. It’s performed under local anesthesia. It’s more effective than corticosteroid injections. It’s also safe and does not require a lengthy recovery time.
