If you step out of bed and feel sudden, stabbing foot pain, there’s a good chance you have plantar fasciitis. However, sharp pain can signal other foot issues.
The first step toward relief is getting an expert diagnosis from our team at Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. Then, we work with you to design a tailored treatment plan that eases your pain and restores foot health.
Here, we explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments for plantar fasciitis. We also briefly explain the other foot conditions that can cause stabbing pain.
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in a strong band of connective tissue (the plantar fascia). The plantar fascia is at the bottom of your foot. It runs from the heel to the ball of your foot, where it branches to attach to the toes.
The plantar fascia bears substantial daily stress as it supports the arch and absorbs shock. Inflammation develops when the tissue is stretched, torn, or injured.
Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, but it most likely occurs due to:
No matter the cause, early treatment is crucial for optimal healing and to prevent it from becoming a chronic condition.
Plantar fasciitis may appear suddenly and cause severe pain, or it could begin with mild heel pain that progressively worsens. The way your pain starts and develops depends on the underlying cause.
The hallmark symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
Many people with plantar fasciitis also develop bone spurs in the heel, which magnifies the pain.
We may diagnose plantar fasciitis after a thorough physical exam. However, we often do in-office digital X-rays or ultrasounds to view the foot’s structures and rule out other possible causes of your foot pain.
Treatment typically begins with one or more of the following nonsurgical therapies:
Most patients respond to these conservative treatments. Surgery is the last resort for those who don’t improve.
Other causes of stabbing foot pain
Plantar fasciitis is known for causing sharp foot pain, but the following conditions can also cause stabbing pain:
Morton’s neuroma: Stabbing or burning pain and tingling in the ball of the foot
Arthritis: Pain ranging from aching to sharp in any foot joint
Peripheral neuropathy: Stabbing pain, burning, or tingling in any part of the foot
Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Sharp, shooting, or burning pain in the sole, heel, or ankle
Achilles tendonitis or tear: Sharp pain in the back of the heel
Sesamoiditis: Sharp or aching pain around the big toe joint and ball of the foot
Anterior tibial tendonitis: Pain in the middle of the foot or front of the ankle
Stress fractures: Develop gradually, causing pain that worsens when active
Traumatic fractures: Sudden sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight
While other foot conditions cause sharp or stabbing pain, they usually have visible signs giving you a clue about the problem.
Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. has years of experience identifying the cause of stabbing foot pain and providing personalized care. Call the office or request an appointment online today.
