Plantar Fasciitis Recovery Time - Sydney Heel Pain Clinic

What is the approximate Plantar Fasciitis recovery time?

The recovery time for Plantar Fasciitis is varied and is dependent upon different factors. In general it can vary from a few days (if treatment starts early) to a few years if left untreated. If the wrong treatments are implemented and the Plantar Fasciitis is aggravated then the heel pain can last for years. Problems such as Plantar Fasciitis, and most inflammatory foot conditions are often ongoing due to the simple fact that we cannot rest our feet, as we can other parts of our body such as a hand or an arm. Even if we refrain from physical exercise, or take time off work, there is still stress and load on our feet as we walk and so Plantar Fasciitis recovery time can be months rather than weeks.

Plantar Fasciitis recovery time will depend on the following factors:

The length of time that the patient has been feeling heel pain has a bearing on plantar fasciitis recovery time. Patients who present to the clinic soon after feeling the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis can often recover within a week or two.
In such cases we will implement quick and simple remedies and encourage rest and an emphasis on footwear.
The severity of the damage to the Plantar Fascia will also affect Plantar Fasciitis recovery time. This can be measured by ultra sound imaging. The greater the damage to the Plantar Fascia, then the greater the inflammation, and hence the longer it can take to fully recover.
The presence of a tear in the Plantar Fascia can also affect Plantar Fasciitis recovery time. Naturally, a tear takes longer to heal. The treatment for a tear usually involves a rehabilitation boot and these have been found to reduce Plantar Fasciitis recovery time dramatically. Treatment duration can be reduced to 6-12 weeks depending on the severity of the Plantar Fascial tear.
The use of prescription orthotics (if designed well and if comfortable) will reduce Plantar Fasciitis recovery time significantly. Patients who follow instruction and wear their orthotics daily will usually have a Plantar Fasciitis recovery time of around 6 weeks.
Occupation is a significant factor in Plantar Fasciitis recovery time. Patients with weight bearing jobs who are on their feet for long periods will sometimes take longer to heal than those with less strenuous jobs. These patients might have a Plantar Fasciitis recovery time of 8-12 weeks rather than 6 weeks.They will need monitoring throughout the course of their treatment. Such patients are Nurses, School teachers, Rangers, Builders, Personal trainers, Hairdressers and more.
Body weight can affect Plantar Fasciitis recovery time. Heavier patients have more stress on their feet and for this reason they can take longer to heal. For heavier patients who have Plantar Fasciitis but no tears in their plantar fascia it may take 12 weeks as opposed to 6 weeks to recover. The irony lies in the inability to exercise in order to lose weight due to the pain in the heel.
Footwear is crucial when trying to reduce Plantar Fasciitis recovery time. Supportive shoes are a must!

Patients with stronger and more durable shoes will have a shorter Plantar Fasciitis recovery time than those patients wearing softer and less supportive footwear. It is important to have professional advice regarding footwear. A patient’s idea of a “good shoe” is often very different to that of a podiatrist.

Ultimately, Plantar Fasciitis recovery time is significantly reduced when professional care and treatment from an experienced heel pain practitioner is put in place. An average recovery time of 6-12 weeks is common, taking into account the above information.

To know about the treatment for plantar fasciitis, see here: Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Written by Karl Lockett