How do you Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis?

The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can be made with a reasonable level of certainty in the clinic by an experienced clinician after a history and examination.  Diagnostic testing (x-rays and MRI) usually do not need to be ordered to diagnose plantar fasciitis and normally should not be ordered unless the diagnosis is uncertain or the patient is not responding to treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:
1.   insidious onset of pain under the plantar surface of the heel upon weight bearing after a period of non-weight bearing
2.  This pain in the plantar heel region is most noticeable in the morning with the first steps after waking or after a period of inactivity
3.  In some cases, the pain is so severe that it results in an antalgic gait.
4.  Heel pain will lessen with increasing levels of activity (ie, walking, running), but will tend to worsen toward the end of the day
5.  The history usually indicates that there has been a recent change in activity level, such as increased distance with walking or running, or an employment change that requires more time standing or walking
6.   In most cases the patient will initially complain of sharp, localized pain under the medial heel as in the picture above

There are some other differential diagnoses that can be ruled out during the examination that include:  stress fractures, bone bruise, heel fat pad atrophy, nerve entrapments, and referred pain from the lumbar spine.

The good news is that >80% of plantar fasciitis symptoms resolve within a 12 month period.  But who wants to wait 12 months to be pain free!  Schedule your visit at Pursuit Physical Therapy 407-494-8835 and resolve your heel pain now!  No injections, no medication, no surgery, no problem!  We can get you back to the activities you love pain free!