A guide to the recognition and treatment of plantar fasciitis: Arpit Jariwala, David Bruce and Amar Jain outline the diagnosis and management options for this painful foot condition

A common foot disorder plantar fasciitis presents with heel pain that occurs on weight bearing usually after a period of inactivity. The discomfort is felt at the tender spot located posteromedially at the insertion of the plantar fascia with deep pressure. Plantar fasciitis is mainly a clinical diagnosis principally made on history and examination alone. It is usually a self-limiting condition which mostly resolves with non-operative management but can take up to 12 to 18 months before it completely settles down. Management normally involves non-operative measures and rarely requires surgery. Newer, minimally invasive treatments are promising but long-term trials are awaited.