Is Vitamin B (B complex) effective for treating plantar fasciitis?

Vitamin B for Plantar Fasciitis

Vitamin B supplementation is not recommended for the treatment of plantar fasciitis, as there is no evidence supporting its effectiveness for this condition.

Evidence Base

The available clinical guidelines and research on plantar fasciitis management do not include vitamin B or B-complex supplementation as a treatment option. 1, 2, 3

Established Treatment Recommendations

The evidence-based approach to plantar fasciitis focuses on:

First-line conservative management:

• Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercises and calf-muscle stretching should be the foundation of treatment, performed as weight-bearing exercises against a wall 2
• Activity modification, including avoiding barefoot walking 2
• NSAIDs for pain control 2
• Proper footwear that accommodates foot shape 1

Second-line interventions (if no improvement after 6 weeks):

• Night splinting can be added to the treatment regimen 2
• Orthotic interventions including extra-depth shoes or custom-made insoles for patients with foot deformities 1
• Referral to podiatric specialist 2

Advanced interventions (for persistent pain beyond 2-3 months):

• Corticosteroid injections (though effects are short-lived and carry risks of fat pad atrophy and plantar fascia rupture) 4, 5
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy 2, 4
• Surgical intervention (plantar fasciotomy or endoscopic fasciotomy) for recalcitrant cases 2, 3

Context on Vitamin B

While vitamin B supplementation (specifically folic acid and B12) has been mentioned in peripheral arterial disease guidelines for patients with elevated homocysteine levels, the effectiveness of this intervention is not well established even in that context 6. There is no evidence linking vitamin B deficiency to plantar fasciitis pathophysiology, which is primarily a degenerative process at the plantar fascia origin rather than a nutritional or inflammatory condition 3, 7.

Clinical Bottom Line

With proper conservative treatment, 80% of patients with plantar fasciitis improve within 12 months 3. The condition responds to mechanical interventions (stretching, orthotics, activity modification) rather than nutritional supplementation 5, 8.