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Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Successful plantar fasciitis treatment often involves a combination of various different treatment measures.

No single treatment measure appears to be consistently successful in eliminating plantar fasciitis on its own. For example... anti-inflammatory medication may help some plantar fasciitis sufferers, but it NEVER works for everyone. For most people, this medication seems to make no difference whatsoever.


So what works in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Simple plantar fasciitis treatment measures include:

  • R.I.C.E. rest from any competitive sport or prolonged standing; Ice massage at the end of a long day on your feet or after sport;


  • Compression using taping or compression bandaging;

  • Elevation at the end of the day or after activity.

  • Massage of the plantar fascial ligament or plantar aponeurosis using anti-inflammatory gel can help.

  • Calf stretching exercises can also help.

  • Toe extension exercises are often helpful especially when arising from rest first thing in the morning.

    • Activity modification is helpful especially when climbing steps or stairs. Sudden backward extension of the toes needs to be prevented to prevent re-injury of the plantar fascia during the early stages of treatment.

    More advanced plantar fasciitis treatment measures may include:

  • low dye taping

  • foot orthotics

  • bracing or splinting. This is often needed when the condition has been present for longer than six months.

  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a treatment option which may be needed in about 5 to 10 percent of cases which do not respond to conservative measures. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is only considered when plantar fasciitis has been present for longer than six months.

  • Cortisone injections or cortisone via iontophoresis has been found to help on occasion, however, this treatment tends to mask the true causative factor.

    • Plantar fasciitis treatment is often successful and rarely requires surgery.


    WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist, your Doctor or your foot specialist.

    Still have a question about your foot problem, leg pain or you just need some footwear advice?

    Visit our Foot Problems page and ask us a question about your specific problem. We'll do our best to help.

    To find a Podiatrist or Foot Doctor near you visit our Find a Podiatrist page and click on your country.

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