Overview

Plantar fasciitis in athletes is often the result of overtraining. You will need to reduce your level of activity. Or you will need to switch to another type of activity that puts less stress on your feet. This, combined with stretching, anti-inflammatory drugs, and making sure that you have good-quality shoes, will usually allow your condition to improve. It may take several months for your pain to go away completely. If you continue to have symptoms after several months of treatment, you and your doctor may also consider corticosteroid shots and even surgery.

When your pain and tenderness have gone away, increase your activity level gradually. You may be able to start exercises such as cycling and swimming before you can add walking or running. Consider using an orthotic device (Figure 1) in your shoe. If symptoms of plantar fasciitis do not come back, you may return to full activity. It usually takes at least several weeks before you can return to running.

Figure 1 - Orthotic insole

An orthotic insole is a moulded piece of rubber, plastic, or other material that you insert into your shoe. It corrects the alignment of your foot and cushions your foot from excessive pounding. A wide range of orthotics are available for different foot problems. Before buying an expensive pair of custom-made orthotics, consider trying good-quality, over-the-counter orthotics. You can buy these at a drugstore, grocery store, or sporting goods store.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
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All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.