Plantar Fasciitis

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation within the tissue connecting your heel to the ball of your foot. This band of tissue, known as the plantar fascia, can develop a number of tiny tears due to repeated stress, and this causes the pain in your heel. 

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Generally, plantar fasciitis is caused by stress or pressure on the plantar fascia. This can develop in a number of ways. For example, plantar fasciitis often affects athletes who run long distances, putting excessive pressure over time on this band of tissue. 

Obesity can put extra strain on the plantar fascia, even if you don't exercise at all. Certain kinds of foot mechanics, including flat feet or high arches, can affect the way you walk, which can, in turn, sometimes put too much strain on the plantar fascia.

The cause of plantar fasciitis isn't always clear, but regardless of the origin, your Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers podiatrist can eliminate symptoms by restoring your plantar fascia to good health and correcting underlying conditions.

What is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis?

Treatment depends on the symptoms and source of the condition. Your treatment typically includes rest and possibly medication, which brings immediate pain relief, as well as stretching the plantar fascia to make it stronger and less vulnerable to damage. Your podiatrist may also recommend noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments to relieve your plantar fasciitis pain, including:

• Rest: a period of rest allows the tissue tears to heal
• Ice: icing the heel can relieve pain
• Medication: pain relievers like ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and pain
• Exercise: prescribed exercise can strengthen and stretch your plantar fascia
• Taping: taping can support the heel and keep it in the right position
• Splints: a night splint can stretch your plantar fascia to lengthen it while you sleep
• Orthotics: custom orthotics are arch supports that relieve pressure on the plantar fascia
• Injections: corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation and pain while you're healing

It's rare for plantar fasciitis to require surgery. As long as you follow your recovery plan, correct underlying factors, and take steps to protect your foot health in the future, there's no reason to suffer through the horrible heel pain again. 

Use the online scheduler or call the Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers office closest to you for plantar fasciitis help now.