1. Keep a Pain Journal
If you suspect you may have plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of the tissue (the plantar fascia) that spans the bottom of your foot, start a pain journal in which you can record your symptoms. Plantar fasciitis pain tends to be localized in the heel of the foot and can feel like a stabbing pain or a burning sensation. Symptoms are usually quite intense in the morning after a night's sleep. Some people experience pain after participating in a sport or rigorous exercise, but not during the exercise itself. Writing down your symptoms and when they occur can be an important step toward officially diagnosing the condition as plantar fasciitis. Bring your pain journal with you to doctor's appointments so your doctor can get a clear picture of the discomfort you are experiencing.
2. Rule out Heel Spurs
Many people use the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spur interchangeably, but they are two different conditions with different treatment methods. A heel spur is a calcium deposit that forms on the heel bone. The pain associated with both of these conditions manifests itself in many of the same ways, making it hard to diagnose and treat either condition. As a heel spur is a growth on the bone, it sometimes shows up on an X-ray. Ask your doctor to send you for an X-ray of your foot if you are concerned about a possible incorrect diagnosis of your plantar fasciitis.
3. Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis With an MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic procedure that allows medical professionals to see the soft tissue in areas of the body. An MRI is effective in diagnosing plantar fasciitis because doctors can clearly see the inflammation of the fascia on the screen. Some doctors may not perform an MRI if a physical examination of the foot shows swelling and tenderness that is consistent with plantar fasciitis. Others may perform the test to rule out stress fractures or other potential causes of heel pain.
