The sharp, stabbing pain in your heel with your first steps in the morning is a frustrating and painful reality for millions. It’s natural to wonder if this untreated heel pain will eventually resolve on its own. While the plantar fascia can heal itself, the question is not if but how long it will take—and what risks you face along the way.
The answer to how long does plantar fasciitis last without treatment is not a simple one. For a small number of people, the condition may eventually go away, but this can take anywhere from six months to two years. For many others, the pain becomes a persistent, chronic foot pain that can last for years, severely impacting daily life and mobility.
The Risks of Not Treating Plantar Fascia Inflammation
Ignoring your plantar fascia inflammation can have serious consequences beyond just lingering pain. The longer the condition goes unaddressed, the higher the risk of complications and a much longer plantar fasciitis recovery time.
- It Can Become Chronic: What starts as a manageable ache can quickly develop into a stubborn, chronic foot pain. Without proper support and rest, the daily stress on the fascia continues, exacerbating the inflammation and making the condition much harder to treat later.
- Microtears and Potential Rupture: The constant strain on the inflamed tissue can cause tiny tears to develop. If you continue high-impact activities without treatment, these tears can worsen, potentially leading to a painful plantar fascia rupture, which requires a much more intensive and lengthy recovery.
- Heel Spurs: Your body may attempt to protect the strained area by depositing calcium at the point where the fascia attaches to the heel bone. This can result in a bony protrusion known as a heel spur, which can cause additional pain and require further medical intervention.
- Worsening Your Gait and Causing Other Injuries: When your heel hurts, you naturally change the way you walk to avoid the pain. This altered gait can put unnatural stress on your ankles, knees, hips, and back, leading to a cascade of new injuries and pain throughout your body.
What You Can Do: Self-Care Tips Plantar Fasciitis Can Benefit From
The good news is that with early intervention and consistent care, the healing plantar fascia can begin much sooner. Implementing simple self-care tips plantar fasciitis can significantly reduce your plantar fasciitis recovery time and prevent the pain from becoming a chronic problem.
- Stretching is Key: Before getting out of bed in the morning, perform gentle stretches for your feet and calf muscles. A simple stretch involves pulling your toes back toward your shin with a towel or strap.
- Wear Supportive Footwear: Avoid walking barefoot, especially on hard surfaces like tile or concrete. Wear shoes with good arch support and cushioning, even around the house.
- Ice the Area: Roll a frozen water bottle under your foot for 15-20 minutes at the end of the day or after any physical activity to help reduce arch inflammation.
- Modify Your Activities: Temporarily switch from high-impact activities like running or jumping to low-impact ones like swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine to give your feet a break.
Conclusion
While it’s possible for untreated heel pain from plantar fasciitis to eventually go away, the process is long and filled with risks that can lead to a long-term, chronic foot pain. The best way to ensure effective healing plantar fascia is to take a proactive approach with a combination of self-care tips plantar fasciitis can benefit from and professional medical advice.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The content of this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, podiatrist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.