How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on May 17, 2025
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The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis relies on the doctor's physical examination, the patient's symptoms, and imaging tests which serve as auxiliary examinations. These tests help to rule out other conditions such as bone spurs or osteoarthritis, as well as other abnormal lesions. Once these possibilities are excluded, a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can be made. Typically, there are specific tender points on the foot, which could be singular or multiple. Improvements can often be achieved through appropriate measures such as heat application, physical therapy, rest, and, if necessary, electrical stimulation or pain point injection treatment. However, excessive weight-bearing activities could potentially lead to a recurrence of the symptoms in the later stages.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How long does it take to recover from plantar fasciitis?

For the disease of plantar fasciitis, if treated under normal conventional methods, the recovery time is generally around four to six weeks. However, during the treatment period, it is crucial to strictly follow the treatment principles, such as prohibiting excessive weight-bearing walking, strenuous exercise, and overworking. At the same time, some physical therapy methods should be coordinated, such as massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnetotherapy. In more severe cases, occlusion methods can be used to alleviate local pain. Generally, the time frame is four to six weeks. If the results from regular conservative treatment are not satisfactory, surgical treatment may be required later on.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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How to determine if it is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a type of aseptic inflammation. In diagnosis, there is usually a history of chronic strain in the plantar area, or frequent exposure to cold. Patients may feel stabbing pain in the plantar area, swelling in the plantar muscles and fascia tissues, widespread tenderness, and some exhibit definite tender points, affecting normal plantar activity. There is fascial tissue adhesion; when touching the plantar area, the skin may also feel hard and tight. Ultrasonography and MRI can be conducted, and combined with physical examination, a definitive diagnosis can be made. In treatment, conservative methods are used. Often soaking feet in warm water, applying external ointments that invigorate blood circulation and reduce stasis, performing acupuncture and moxibustion, strengthening exercises for the plantar muscle tissues, and taking oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Can you ride a bike with plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can involve cycling, as the weight-bearing load during cycling is reduced compared to walking, running, or mountain climbing. It allows appropriate movement of the knee and hip joints, which can help alleviate symptoms. With plantar fasciitis, it's best to minimize physical activities because once active, it may promote tension in the plantar fascia, leading to pain. Treatments can include heat application, physiotherapy, taking blood-activating and pain-relieving medications, and, if necessary, some invasive treatments to alleviate symptoms. After rest, recovery is generally slow, taking about 2 to 3 weeks, and symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated with the help of blood-activating and pain-relieving medication. However, it can easily recur, so it's recommended to wear sports shoes often, walk on flat surfaces, and sports shoes with air cushions are preferable for better effect. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Will plantar fasciitis cause pain on the top of the foot?

Generally speaking, it is not the case. Plantar fasciitis is mostly characterized by distinct pain at the point where the muscles and fascia on the bottom of the foot connect with the bones, especially during walking or other activities, where a clear pain point can be observed. Top-of-the-foot pain should not be ruled out as being caused by other reasons, such as soft tissue injuries on the top of the foot, gout, or local tissue damage due to accidental strains. Therefore, plantar fasciitis does not induce pain on the top of the foot, unless there are soft tissue injuries and inflammation in both the plantar and dorsal areas of the foot, which would result in corresponding pain in both areas.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How is plantar fasciitis treated?

For the treatment of plantar fasciitis, there are currently two approaches clinically. The first is conservative treatment, which includes the following options: The first is rest, meaning to minimize weight-bearing walking and rest as much as possible. The second is to use heat application, such as applying a hot towel to the sole of the foot for 10-20 minutes each day, twice a day, which can help increase local blood circulation and alleviate pain. The third is the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to relieve local pain. The fourth is extracorporeal shock wave therapy for relief. The fifth, and most commonly used, is injection therapy, but it is important to note that there are clear limits on the number of times injection therapy can be used. If conservative treatment does not work for over six months, or if the symptoms of plantar fasciitis progressively worsen, surgical treatment may be necessary.