SR Therapies

What to do when plantar fasciitis is so bad you can't walk

Managing pain in the foot can be extremely challenging, particularly when conditions like plantar fasciitis prevent you from walking. Unfortunately, it's one of the most common running injuries and can take months to dissipate.

• Plantar fasciitis is especially prevalent in women aged 40 to 60. Those who are overweight have a much higher risk of developing the injury, too, as more load is placed through the foot.  

Often associated with repetitive strain and overuse, the condition can flair up when runners overload their training or do too much, too soon. But like with most running-related injuries, the causes are multi-faceted and can be due to biomechanics, footwear and even the shape of your foot.

• How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis? 

Sports scientists have been unable to exactly pinpoint whether plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition or a degenerative one, but one thing is known: it can be extremely painful. The pain is caused by discomfort of the plantar fascia tissue that spans the underside of the foot, linking the heel bone to the toes. Everything you need to know about what the condition is can be found in our explainer. 

• Can plantar fasciitis become so bad you are unable to walk? 

• The severity of pain varies widely between different individuals but for some it can lead to a lot of discomfort while walking. At its worst, symptoms typically include a sharp or stabbing pain in the heel or arch of the foot.'

You can often feel a sudden pain when you get up in the morning or if you've been resting for a while,' explains oot health specialist Bente Smith-Rewse, founder of Enertor. 'The pain can get better if you're doing exercises but then it will return after you have rested.'

• When the condition progresses further it can make walking very painful, and trying to walk can actually aggravate, rather than elevate, the symptoms. In some extreme cases, patients can undergo an operation to decrease the stress on the plantar fascia. 
• How can you manage plantar fasciitis when you are unable to walk? 

• There are a number of steps that can be taken to help your feet recover without putting too much load through them. But the earlier you can address the symptoms the better. Check out this comprehensive guide on preventative exercises that will help stop plantar fasciitis from returning in the long term.  

If walking is painful, taking a series of short term measures will help you to manage the pain before you can move onto foot strengthening exercises.

What can make plantar fasciitis more painful?

Should you seek medical help if you have plantar fasciitis so bad you are unable to walk?

• It is important to seek medical help early on to prevent the condition from worsening and to obtain an accurate diagnosis. A physiotherapist may be able to help stretch the fascia without causing further damage and recommend targeted exercises. In the first instance, get an appointment with your GP. If you are unable to walk then seeking medical advice is a must.