SpecialistCondition · Dubai
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Dubai
The first-steps-of-the-morning pattern is so typical that people diagnose themselves correctly most of the time. What they usually get wrong is what to do about it, and how long to let it run before having it looked at.
What it is
Plantar Fasciitis, explained.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition affecting the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue running from the heel along the sole of the foot. It characteristically causes sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning that eases as you walk.
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot and transfers load with every step. Where the demand on it exceeds what it tolerates, the tissue near its attachment at the heel becomes painful, particularly under stretch.
Heel spurs are frequently found on X-ray in people with this pain, and equally in people without it. The spur is generally a consequence of long-term loading rather than the cause of the symptoms.
Not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Nerve irritation, a stress reaction in the bone and referred pain all present similarly, and separating them is part of the assessment.
Common signs
What people usually notice.
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning
- Pain returning after sitting for a while
- Discomfort along the arch of the foot
- Worse after standing or walking for long periods
- Tenderness pressing the inside of the heel
- Easing with movement, then returning later in the day
Signs overlap between conditions, and this list is not a diagnosis. What you have is established by examination, not by a checklist.
Assessment
How a specialist works out what is going on.
- 01
History
The pattern through the day, footwear, training or standing load, and how long it has been present.
- 02
Examination
The heel and arch are palpated, ankle and calf flexibility are checked, and the foot is assessed under load.
- 03
Imaging, if needed
Ultrasound can show the fascia where the diagnosis is uncertain. Imaging is requested only where it would change the plan.
- 04
The plan
What to change in loading and footwear, what to do first, and when to review it.
What may be considered
Options a specialist may discuss with you.
Which of these is appropriate — if any — depends entirely on what the assessment finds. They are described here so you know what the conversation may cover, not as a menu to choose from.
- Ultrasound-Guided InjectionsThe fascia and the structures around it sit close together, so where an injection is considered appropriate it is placed under live imaging.
- PRP for Joints & TendonsAn injection prepared from a concentrate of your own blood, considered case by case for persistent presentations.
- Exosome Therapy for JointsA regenerative-category injectable, discussed only where a specialist considers it suitable.
When to be seen
Don’t wait this one out.
Have it assessed if the pain has persisted beyond a few weeks, if it is present at rest rather than only on loading, or if there is numbness or tingling in the foot. Heel pain after a specific injury, or pain severe enough to stop you weight-bearing, should be seen promptly.
Questions
Good to know.
Do I have a heel spur, and does it matter?
Will new shoes fix it?
Will an injection cure it?
How much does it cost?
Licensed & Regulated
DHA-licensed. MOHAP-approved.
Every treatment is delivered at Shookra, a DHA-licensed medical facility in Dubai. Every physician and clinician on our team is DHA-licensed and works to clinical protocol. Our health communications are independently reviewed and approved by the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP).
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Get it assessed properly.
Message our team on WhatsApp and we’ll arrange a specialist consultation in Business Bay — assessment first, options after.