left foot pain-planter fascitis?

[jhovard]

I recently went running and afterwards I had a pretty sharp pain on the left side of my left foot, from the middle of my foot to the heel, although the pain is centered around the arch area.  I hadn't gone running in a while and just attributed it to a typical out of shape aches and pains (my legs were also sore) that are normal and go away within a few days.  It still hurt for a few days afterward but seemed to be getting better.  I went for another run a few days later and the pain came back as bad/worse then before.  After a few days the pain isn't as severe as it was immediately following the run, but it still is pretty noticeable (although it's only present when I have weight on my foot).  I have noticed that it is noticeably worse when I wake up in the morning (which through some googling seems to indicate plantar fascitis)  Is there anything else that it could be? What can I do to make this go away?

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Sounds more like an acute strain, or partial tear, of the plantar fascia, rather than the classic chronic plantar fasciitis. This should respond to ice, stretching and rest.  Try to waer a shoe with a good arch, even around the house and particularly when you get up in the morning.  If the symptoms persist, there are night splints that can be utilized. In addition, platelet rich plasma injections have been very successful for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

[jrussell54]

I rolled my left foot in a hole while running in July '09.  I have had pain in the left side of my foot in the heel area.  I can apply pressure massaging the heel area and feel a sharp pain.  I had mornings where my first step out of bed was agonizing pain.  The more I walked the more it hurt.  I have used ice/heat/ibuprofen and nothing has helped.  I started wearing my running shoe to bed on my left foot.  I believe it has kept my foot straight at night and allows for healing.  4 months later, I have little pain in the morning.  I also have stopped running since July.  Rest means rest.  No running, biking or walking.  Take it easy and let it heal.  Good Luck.