From the Research
Hypothyroidism can potentially contribute to plantar fasciitis, though it's not a direct cause, and managing hypothyroidism with medications like levothyroxine may help improve plantar fascia symptoms. Hypothyroidism leads to decreased metabolism and can cause fluid retention, weight gain, and connective tissue changes that may increase stress on the plantar fascia. Additionally, hypothyroidism is associated with conditions like myxedema, which involves swelling and thickening of tissues that could affect foot mechanics. People with hypothyroidism may also experience muscle weakness and joint pain that alter walking patterns, further stressing the plantar fascia.
Some key points to consider in the management of plantar fasciitis include:
- Rest, ice, stretching exercises, and supportive footwear are standard treatments for plantar fasciitis, as noted in studies such as 1 and 2.
- Corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief but may increase the risk of plantar fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy, as mentioned in 3 and 2.
- A combination of corticosteroid injections and controlled training (strength training and stretching) has been shown to be a superior treatment for plantar fasciitis, according to 3.
- Proper management of hypothyroidism with medications like levothyroxine (typically starting at 25-50 mcg daily, adjusted based on TSH levels) may help improve plantar fascia symptoms, although this is not directly addressed in the provided studies.
If you have both hypothyroidism and plantar fasciitis, it is essential to implement standard plantar fasciitis treatments and manage your thyroid condition appropriately. If you suspect hypothyroidism might be contributing to your foot pain, consult with your healthcare provider for thyroid function testing and appropriate management of both conditions, as the most recent and highest quality study 2 suggests a comprehensive approach to treating plantar fasciitis.