Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT
Plantar fasciitis often causes heel pain with the first steps in the morning. Learn about symptoms and evaluation with Dr. Tortland in Glastonbury, CT.
Condition
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain involving the strong band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. Pain is often worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting and may return with prolonged standing or walking. Initial care usually includes stretching, progressive strengthening, supportive footwear and activity adjustments.
Explore related conditions: Browse the Foot and ankle condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.
CARE OPTIONS
Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: For persistent plantar fasciitis after an appropriate conservative program, Dr. Tortland may discuss PRP treatment or selected prolotherapy/prolozone; evidence varies, and injections are not the first step for most people. Diagnosis should distinguish plantar fascia pain from nerve entrapment, stress injury, or other heel conditions.
Physical therapy and traditional care: Traditional care includes calf and plantar-fascia stretching, progressive foot and calf strengthening, footwear changes, load management, and taping or orthotics when useful. Physical therapy can guide a plan based on first-step pain and activity level.
When other care may be needed: Persistent heel pain despite consistent care, pain at rest, significant swelling, or inability to bear weight warrants reassessment. Further imaging or specialist referral may be appropriate if the pattern is atypical.
Common questions
Plantar fasciitis comes from repeated strain on the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. Risk factors include tight calves, high-impact activity, prolonged standing, foot mechanics, and unsupportive footwear.
The classic symptom is heel or arch pain with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. Pain may ease as you move, then return later in the day after prolonged standing or walking. Other causes of heel pain should be considered if symptoms are atypical.
Most people start with calf and plantar-fascia stretching, progressive strengthening, supportive footwear or orthotics, and load modification. Physical therapy can guide a gradual program. Shockwave therapy or an image-guided injection may be discussed for persistent symptoms after standard care.
Ultrasound-guided PRP or prolotherapy may be discussed when plantar heel pain persists despite a consistent conservative program. Research is encouraging in some studies but not conclusive across protocols. Candidacy follows examination and review of other heel-pain causes.
Dr. Tortland can review your imaging and history to recommend the most appropriate non-surgical path forward.