Can a Podiatrist Fix Plantar Fasciitis? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re dealing with stabbing heel pain that’s worst when you first get out of bed, you’re likely wondering: can a podiatrist (also known as a foot doctor) actually fix plantar fasciitis? The short answer is yes – a podiatrist can treat plantar fasciitis effectively, and they have access to treatment options that can provide both immediate relief and long-term healing.

Key Takeaways:

Podiatrists are well-equipped to treat plantar fasciitis and are often the most appropriate specialists for this condition. 

As foot and ankle specialists, they have extensive training in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis respond well to conservative treatment, with about 90% of patients improving within 6-12 months. 

Podiatrists typically start with the least invasive approaches and progress to more advanced treatments if needed for chronic plantar fasciitis.

If you’re experiencing heel pain, especially stabbing pain that’s worst with your first steps in the morning, it’s worth seeing a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.

What Exactly Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia – the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes – becomes inflamed or develops small tears. This fascia acts like a bowstring, supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock when you walk. When it’s overstretched or overused, it can become irritated, leading to that characteristic sharp pain in your heel.

Think of it like a rubber band that’s been stretched too many times – eventually, it starts to fray and lose its elasticity. Your body tries to compensate by changing how you walk, but this often leads to additional problems in your ankles, knees, or hips. You can learn more about plantar fasciitis here.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

The classic sign of plantar fasciitis is sharp heel pain when you first step out of bed in the morning. Most patients describe it as feeling like they’re stepping on a nail or stone. This morning pain happens because the plantar fascia – the thick band of tissue that supports your arch – tightens up while you sleep. When you put weight on it, it stretches suddenly and hurts.

The pain usually gets better after you’ve been walking around for a few minutes as the tissue warms up. But it often comes back later in the day, especially after you’ve been on your feet for a while or after sitting for long periods and then getting up again.

You’ll typically feel the pain at the bottom of your heel, where the plantar fascia connects to your heel bone. Some people feel it extending along their arch too. The pain is usually worse at the end of the day. Things like climbing stairs or walking barefoot on hard surfaces can make it worse.

Most people develop this gradually over time – it’s not usually from stepping wrong or a specific injury. While it can affect both feet, it’s more common to have it in just one foot at first.

The good news is that we see this condition all the time, and there are many effective treatments available to reduce pain and inflammation and eliminate plantar fasciitis completely. If you’re dealing with heel pain that won’t go away, especially that classic morning pain, it’s worth coming in so we can take a look and get you feeling better.

How Podiatrists Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis

When you visit a podiatrist for heel pain, they’ll conduct a comprehensive examination that goes far beyond just looking at your foot. Here’s what you can expect:

Physical Examination: Your podiatrist will feel for areas of tenderness, check your foot flexibility, and assess your reflexes. They’ll also examine how you walk and stand, looking for any biomechanical issues and other symptoms that might be contributing to your condition.

Medical History Review: They’ll ask about your symptoms, activity levels, footwear choices, and any previous injuries. This helps them understand not just what’s happening, but why it’s happening.

Imaging Studies: While plantar fasciitis is often diagnosed clinically, your podiatrist might order X-rays to rule out stress fractures or heel spurs, or an ultrasound to visualise the plantar fascia itself.

Biomechanical Assessment: They’ll analyse your gait, foot structure, and how forces are distributed across your feet when you walk or run.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options That Actually Work

Podiatrists have access to a range of evidence-based plantar fasciitis treatments that you simply can’t get elsewhere:

Conservative treatments:

Custom Orthotics

Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet after a detailed biomechanical analysis. They work by redistributing pressure away from the inflamed plantar fascia and correcting any underlying foot mechanics that contributed to the problem in the first place. Many patients experience significant relief within the first few weeks of wearing properly fitted orthotics for plantar fasciitis.

Physical Therapy Recommendations and Stretching Exercises

Targeted stretches for your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles help improve flexibility and reduce tension. Your podiatrist will teach you specific exercises to do at home that many patients find surprisingly effective when done correctly.

Dry Needling

This technique involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the muscles of your foot and calf. It can help release muscle tension and improve blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Both oral medications and topical treatments help reduce inflammation and discomfort, giving your tissue the chance to heal while you participate in other therapies.

Night Splints

These devices keep your foot in a gentle stretch position while you sleep, preventing the plantar fascia from tightening overnight and reducing that painful first step in the morning that many patients dread.

Taping Techniques

Professional taping provides immediate arch support and pain relief while other treatments are taking effect. Your podiatrist can teach you proper taping methods to use at home for ongoing support.

Supportive Footwear Recommendations

Having supportive shoes matter more than you might think. Your podiatrist will look at your current footwear and guide you toward footwear options that provide good arch support and heel cushioning to reduce stress on your plantar fascia.

Advanced Treatments:

Injection Therapy (Steroid Injections)

Corticosteroid and cortisone injections can provide rapid relief from inflammation and pain. While this isn’t a permanent fix on its own, it can give you the pain relief needed to participate in other treatments like physical therapy or stretching programs.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

This innovative treatment uses your own blood platelets to promote natural healing in the damaged plantar fascia tissue, often providing longer-lasting relief than traditional injections.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing in the plantar fascia. It’s particularly effective for chronic cases that haven’t responded to other treatments. We wrote an entire guide to shockwave therapy here.

Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Advanced imaging allows for precise treatment delivery, ensuring better results with targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures.

Surgical options:

Plantar fascia release surgery

For severe cases that don’t respond to conservative treatment, podiatrists can perform minimally invasive procedures to release tension in the plantar fascia or remove damaged tissue as a last resort.

Gastrocnemius recession

Sometimes tight calf muscles are part of the problem. This procedure addresses that underlying issue by lengthening the muscles that may be contributing to your plantar fasciitis.

What Makes Podiatrist Treatment More Effective

The key difference between seeing a podiatrist and trying to manage plantar fasciitis on your own is that podiatrists address the root cause, not just the symptoms. They understand that plantar fasciitis rarely happens in isolation – it’s usually the result of biomechanical issues, structural problems, or movement patterns that need to be corrected.

Your podiatrist will also create a comprehensive treatment plan that might include:

• Specific stretching and strengthening exercises
• Footwear recommendations
• Activity modifications
• Progressive return-to-activity guidelines
• Long-term prevention strategies

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Most patients start experiencing relief within 2-4 weeks of beginning treatment, though complete healing typically takes 6-12 weeks. The timeline depends on several factors:

• How long you’ve had the condition
• The severity of your symptoms
• Your activity level and compliance with treatment
• Whether there are underlying biomechanical issues

The good news is that with proper podiatric care, over 90% of plantar fasciitis cases resolve without surgery.

Why Early Treatment Matters

The sooner you see a podiatrist to treat plantar fasciitis, the better your outcomes will be. When left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to:

• Chronic heel pain that interferes with daily activities
• Compensatory movement patterns that cause knee, hip, or back problems
• Development of heel spurs
• Weakening of the plantar fascia, making re-injury more likely

Preventing Future Episodes

Once your podiatrist has successfully treated your plantar fasciitis, they’ll work with you to prevent it from coming back. This might include:

• Ongoing use of custom orthotics
• Specific exercises to maintain flexibility and strength
• Footwear guidance for different activities
• Regular check-ups to monitor your foot health

When to See a Podiatrist

You should consider seeing a podiatrist if you experience:

• Heel pain that’s worse in the morning or after periods of rest
• Pain that improves with activity but returns after rest
• Difficulty walking or participating in normal activities
• Heel pain that persists for more than a few days
• Any foot pain that interferes with your quality of life

The Bottom Line

Can a podiatrist fix plantar fasciitis? Absolutely. With their specialised training, diagnostic tools, and access to professional-grade treatments, podiatrists are uniquely qualified to not only treat your current symptoms but also address the underlying causes to prevent future problems.

If you’re in the Melbourne area and dealing with plantar fasciitis, or other foot and ankle conditions, don’t let heel pain control your life. The experienced team at The Lower Limb Clinic has been successfully treating plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions since 1997. With our rapid 48-hour turnaround on custom orthotics and comprehensive approach to foot care, we can help you get back on your feet quickly and comfortably.

Plantar fasciitis is highly treatable when you work with the right professional. The key is getting started with proper treatment as soon as possible – your feet will thank you for it.

Click here to book a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis.