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Tests for Plantar Fasciitis

According to the Mayo Clinic (Reference 1), plantar fasciitis is pain and inflammation that affects the plantar fascia ligament, which is a thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot. The plantar fascia ligament connects the heel bone to the toes.

  1. Plantar Fasciitis

    • Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain says Plantar-Fasciitis.org (Reference 2) and feels like a stabbing, burning or aching pain in the heel of the foot.

    Causes

    • Causes of plantar fasciitis are; too much physical activity or exercise such as excessive running or jumping, obesity, arthritis and wearing incorrect shoes (Reference 2).

    Physical Examination

    • Your health care provider will examine the affected area. Typical findings for those will plantar fasciitis will be mild swelling, redness and tenderness on the bottom of the heel (Reference 3).

    X ray or MRI

    • An X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be taken to rule out any other problems such as a pinched nerve or stress fracture (Reference 1: Tests and Diagnosis).

    Bone Spurs

    • The X-ray may show a spur of bone projecting forward from the heel bone, but this is not usually significant. Many people who have a spur of bone do not have any heel pain (Reference 1: Tests and Diagnosis).

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