a woman taking off her shoes in the office and holding her heel in pain

Pain in the back of the heel may be a sign of plantar fasciitis.

Alamy Stock Photo

Test Your Knowledge on Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

How much do you know about causes and potential cures?

Kim Hayes,

AARP

En español

Published April 07, 2021

9 Questions

e69d601e-8d83-4bfd-96a2-ef8abf466a97

Test Your Knowledge on Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

[ {
 "question" : "1. What are some of the risk factors for plantar fasciitis?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Foot arch issues",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Obesity and sudden weight gain",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Having a tight Achilles tendon",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, plantar fasciitis accounts for about 80% of cases of heel pain.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "2. Can weight loss help plantar fasciitis symptoms?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Yes",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "No",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Being overweight or obese may put more pressure on the bottom of your feet, leading to plantar fasciitis.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "3. In addition to obesity, what puts you at higher risk for plantar fasciitis?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Being a runner",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Being female",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Having a bone spur",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Both A and B",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Women, especially those who wear high-heeled shoes, are at higher risk.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "4. How often should you change your fitness shoes to help prevent and reduce plantar fasciitis symptoms?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Once a year",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Once a month",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Every 300 to 500 miles",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Every 1,000 miles",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Generally, you should swap out your fitness or running shoes every 300 to 500 miles, or when you start to notice signs of wear and tear.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "5. What is the best type of everyday shoe to wear to relieve symptoms?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "A low heel",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Stilettos",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Flats",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Sandals",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Shoes with built-in arch support, a low heel and adequate padding for the ball of your foot are good for people with plantar fasciitis.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "6. What are home remedies that work to relieve the heel pain?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Ice massage",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Stretching",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Rest",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "There are a number of home remedies that can help relieve your heel pain.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "7. Night splints can help address plantar fasciitis pain.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Wearing a night splint pulls and holds your toes back toward your shin, providing a constant stretch.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "8. Surgery is the only option when home remedies fail to cure plantar fasciitis.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "A doctor can try several types of therapy to address heel pain, including medication injections and physical therapy.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "9. Can plantar fasciitis become a chronic condition?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Yes",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "No",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "It isn’t just about the pain: Over the long term, plantar fasciitis could change the way you walk and move.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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Kim Hayes is a senior producer for AARP and has written on social justice issues for numerous organizations, including the National Organization for Women, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She served as editor of the Native American Report newsletter.