Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia band
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick fibrous band running from your heel to your toes. It is the most common cause of heel pain in adults aged 30–60.
Symptoms
- Stabbing pain with the first morning steps
- Pain worsens after long standing / walking
- Tight calf muscles
- Pain that migrates from the heel toward the arch
Common Causes
- Sudden increase in walking or running distance
- Standing occupations (teachers, nurses, retail)
- Flat feet or high arches
- Weight gain
- Poor footwear
How We Diagnose
- Clinical exam — pain on medial calcaneal tuberosity
- Ultrasound: plantar fascia thickness > 4 mm
- MRI for atypical presentations
Recovery Timeline
Most patients see substantial improvement in 6–12 weeks.
Conservative first. Surgery when it's the right answer.
Conservative treatment
Structured stretching program
Plantar fascia + gastrocnemius stretches, 3–4 times daily.
Custom orthotics + night splint
Prevents fascia contracture overnight.
Shockwave (ESWT)
Excellent evidence for chronic cases.
Surgical treatment
PRP injection
Regenerative option before considering surgery.
Endoscopic partial fasciotomy
Rarely needed — day-care minimally invasive procedure.
Why. When. Can. How long. Surgery?
Plantar Fasciitis usually develops from a mix of mechanical overload, previous injury, footwear and biological factors. Identifying the specific driver is the first step to a treatment plan that actually works.
Book a review if pain lasts more than 2–3 weeks, disrupts sleep or work, comes with swelling or deformity, or if you have diabetes or a previous foot injury.
Yes — most cases respond to structured conservative care. Surgery is only offered after an appropriate non-surgical trial has genuinely failed or if structural damage is progressing.
Mild cases settle in 2–6 weeks; moderate cases in 6–12 weeks; surgical cases follow a structured 3–6 month rehabilitation programme.
Not usually. Surgery is reserved for structural damage or true failure of conservative care — decided together after a full review of your history, examination and imaging.
Often yes, with condition-specific physiotherapy, footwear/orthotic optimisation, activity modification and injections where indicated — provided the plan is followed properly for long enough.
Delay allows the underlying mechanics to progress — ligaments loosen, cartilage wears, deformity becomes rigid. Late-stage reconstruction is always bigger than early treatment.
Plantar Fasciitis — 12 frequently asked questions
Can I keep running?+
Reduce mileage, avoid hills, and cross-train with cycling or swimming until pain settles.
Do expensive shoe inserts help?+
Custom-molded orthotics outperform generic ones in stubborn cases.
Why is plantar fasciitis affecting me now?+
Plantar Fasciitis is usually the result of accumulated mechanical stress, an untreated older injury, or a change in activity, footwear or body weight. A structured evaluation identifies the exact driver so treatment targets the cause, not just the symptom.
When should I see a foot & ankle specialist for plantar fasciitis?+
If pain lasts more than 2–3 weeks, wakes you at night, causes limping, prevents sport or work, or comes with swelling, deformity or numbness — book a specialist review. Early expert care almost always prevents surgery later.
Can plantar fasciitis be treated without surgery?+
Yes — the majority of patients improve with a structured conservative programme: activity modification, specific physiotherapy, footwear and orthotic optimisation, and targeted injections when indicated. Surgery is reserved for cases where an appropriate non-surgical trial has genuinely failed.
How long does recovery take?+
Recovery depends on severity and treatment pathway. Simple cases settle in 2–6 weeks with conservative care. Surgical reconstruction typically follows a structured 3–6 month protected weight-bearing and rehabilitation programme, with return to sport around 4–6 months.
Will I need surgery?+
Not necessarily. Dr. Chandan Narang follows a strict conservative-first protocol. Surgery is offered only when imaging and clinical findings show that non-surgical care cannot restore function, or if there is structural damage that will worsen if left alone.
Can I avoid surgery if I follow physiotherapy properly?+
Often, yes — provided the physiotherapy is condition-specific (not generic), progressive, and combined with the right footwear, orthotics and activity modification. Many "failed physio" cases in fact never received the right protocol.
What happens if I delay treatment?+
Delay allows the underlying mechanical problem to progress: ligaments loosen further, cartilage wears down, deformity becomes rigid, and tendons tear. Reconstructive surgery for late-stage disease is bigger, longer and more expensive than early treatment.
Is this treatable through an online video consultation?+
Yes. Most plantar fasciitis cases can be reviewed via a structured video consultation with X-rays or MRI uploaded in advance. In-person examination is only required when a specific hands-on test is decisive.
What imaging will I need?+
Weight-bearing X-rays are the standard baseline. MRI is used for suspected soft-tissue tears, cartilage lesions or occult fractures. CT is reserved for complex bony deformity or trauma planning. Ultrasound is used selectively for dynamic tendon assessment.
Do I need to bring old reports and X-rays?+
Yes. Old imaging is invaluable for tracking progression. Please upload every prior report and image via WhatsApp before your consultation so Dr. Chandan Narang can review everything ahead of time.
Get an expert opinion on your plantar fasciitis — from anywhere in India.
Upload your X-ray or MRI in advance. Dr. Chandan Narang will review your case in a structured video consultation.