Can a 16-year-old get plantar fasciitis?

Can a 16-Year-Old Get Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes, plantar fasciitis can absolutely occur in 16-year-olds, though it is less common than in middle-aged and older adults. While the condition primarily affects adults, adolescents—particularly those who are athletes or wear occlusive footwear—are at risk for developing this overuse injury 1.

Age and Risk Factors in Adolescents

• Plantar fasciitis is documented in military basic training studies where young recruits (including adolescents) develop overuse injuries of the lower extremities, with plantar fasciitis specifically identified as one of the common conditions 1
• Adolescent athletes are particularly susceptible due to repetitive stress, increased activity levels, and biomechanical factors 1, 2
• Risk factors relevant to teenagers include: excessive running, prolonged standing, obesity, excessive foot pronation, and wearing improper footwear 2, 3
• In a study of adolescents using communal showers and locker rooms, plantar warts (not fasciitis) were common, but this highlights that foot conditions do affect this age group in athletic settings 1

Clinical Presentation in Young Patients

• The classic symptom is sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting, with tenderness at the medial plantar calcaneal region 2, 3
• Pain typically worsens at the end of the day and is located on the proximal medioplantar surface of the foot 3
• Physical examination reveals point tenderness at the origin of the plantar fascia on the medial tubercle of the calcaneus 4
• Discomfort can be elicited by passive ankle and first toe dorsiflexion 2

Diagnosis

• Plantar fasciitis is predominantly a clinical diagnosis based on history and physical examination alone 2, 3
• Diagnostic imaging is rarely needed for initial diagnosis and should be reserved for cases that persist beyond 3 months despite treatment or to rule out other pathology 2, 3
• When imaging is warranted, ultrasonography shows good sensitivity (80%) and specificity (88%), demonstrating increased plantar fascia thickness 1, 5
• MRI is considered the most sensitive imaging study but is typically unnecessary in straightforward cases 1, 5

Treatment Approach for Adolescents

Initial conservative management should be implemented immediately and includes:

• Rest and activity modification (reduce running, jumping, and prolonged standing) 2, 3
• Ice massage to the affected area 2, 3
• Stretching exercises targeting both the plantar fascia and gastrocnemius muscle 3, 4
• Proper footwear that fits well and provides adequate support 5, 2
• Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain control 2, 3

If symptoms persist after several weeks of patient-directed treatment:

• Physical therapy modalities 2
• In-shoe orthoses that lift and cushion the heel 4, 6
• Night splinting (though evidence for benefit over placebo is limited) 3

Prognosis

• With proper treatment, 80-90% of patients improve with conservative measures within 12 months 2, 3, 4
• Symptoms typically resolve more quickly when treatment begins shortly after symptom onset 6
• The condition is self-limiting, though conservative treatment can take 3-6 months for complete resolution 4

Important Caveats

• Do not dismiss heel pain in adolescents as "growing pains" without proper evaluation—plantar fasciitis is a real diagnosis in this age group 1
• Consider other causes of heel pain in adolescents including calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease), stress fractures, and tarsal coalition if the presentation is atypical 2
• Corticosteroid injections should be used cautiously in young patients due to risk of plantar fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy 4