Plantar fasciitis (formally referred to as heel spur syndrome) is a painful overuse condition of the soft tissue and muscle that originates on heel bone and extends out into the arch.  The pain typically is worse in the morning or upon arising after sitting for a period of rest.  It is often so painful that patients will think they have a broken heel bone and describe it as a “spike” being driven upward into their heel.  The pain can be present in the morning, disappear after walking on it and warming up the muscles, and then become painful as the day progresses.  It is also not uncommon to have the pain go away for a day or two and then return again just as severe as it was in the previous days.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis consists of stretching, NSAIDS, ICE, night splints, cortisone injections, and surgical release if conservative therapy fails.  PRP injections can also be attempted as an alternative to surgical release.