Common Signs and Symptoms

The most common indicating symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain across the bottom of the foot during the first few steps in the morning. Tenderness is most intense in the morning, and after several minutes of walking (ambulation) the tenderness decreases (Hellman & Imboden, 2007). Also with plantar fasciitis the pain can be most intense with the beginning of an activity (such as running) but the pain subsides as the person warms up (Young, Rutherford & Niedfeldt, 2001). Pain can also be elicited with manual techniques including flexing the ankle, lifting the toes (dorsiflexion of the toes), and squeezing the heel from both sides (Brown, 2007).