- Blog
What to Know About Plantar Fasciitis
Posted on 03-28-2025 in Plantar Fasciitis by Dr. Erik Nilssen
Posted on 03-28-2025 in Plantar Fasciitis by Dr. Erik Nilssen
Do you suffer from pain in your heel, particularly when standing or walking and first thing in the morning? If so, there’s a good chance you have a condition called plantar fasciitis. While a common condition of the foot, doctors remind patients not to ignore their symptoms and to get treatment. That said, there are non-surgical, conventional treatment methods available that often help people recover from plantar fasciitis in a few months.
#1) What is Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common culprit of heel pain. It affects the ligament between your toes and heel bone, called the plantar fascia. This ligament helps to support the arch of your foot, so when it gets irritated, damaged, inflamed, or swollen, it can cause pain in the heel or general bottom area of your foot.
Plantar fasciitis develops when the ligament gets over stretched, which can cause small tears that cause inflammation and discomfort. While you can experience the pain from plantar fasciitis at any time, it usually occurs when you have to stand for long periods of time, are walking, or are participating in other physical activities that require the force of your feet to land on the ground.
#2) What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
There is not a single cause of plantar fasciitis, but rather different situations that lead to the condition. Small tears in the plantar fascia can occur as a result of being obese, from rigorous physical activity, or repetitive walking or standing activities. The way you walk or stand over these prolonged periods of time can also lead to plantar fasciitis. Essentially, anything that puts stress on the feet or heel can cause the condition, along with having flat feet tight tendons or high arches.
#3) Who is Prone to Plantar Fasciitis?
As you might have guessed, individuals who have jobs that require standing and walking for long periods of time and people who are athletic are most prone to developing plantar fasciitis. For example, occupations that requires standing or walking for extended period of time, such as being a security guard, nurse, teacher, or waitress, increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Similarly, runners are especially prone to suffer from plantar fasciitis.
However, there are also some other risk factors to be aware of. For one, if you are an older adult, you are at a higher risk. Plantar fasciitis is more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It often accompanies other age-related conditions, including arthritis and diabetes.
You might also be prone to plantar fasciitis if you wear heels or other types of shoes that don’t support your feet and heels properly, since more stress is put onto the tendons of your heels, leading to inflammation and pain. You are also at a higher risk if you have had any type of cosmetic foot surgery.
If you suspect you have plantar fasciitis, don’t put off getting help. Podiatrists can provide you with a variety of conservative, non-surgical treatment options.
March is National Nutrition Month®, and as part of the conversation, the North Florida Bone & Joint team wants to emphasize the impact diet can have on your bone health. Before diving in, it's essential to understand the role the skeleton plays in your body. Specifically, the skeleton—and the bones its comprised of—serve the following functions:
Valentine’s Day is all about love—so why not show your joints some love, too? Whether you’re an athlete, an active adult, or simply looking to maintain mobility as you age, taking care of your joints is essential for long-term health and well-being. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we believe that self-care isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about making intentional choices to keep your body strong, pain-free, and resilient. Here are four self-care tips to keep your joints healthy and moving with ease:
Pickleball is more than just a fun, fast-paced game—it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. With its easy learning curve and appeal to players of all ages, it’s no wonder that pickleball courts are popping up in neighborhoods and recreation centers everywhere, including right here along the Gulf Coast.