If you experience excruciating foot or heel pain when you get out of bed in the morning, you could have plantar fasciitis. The stabbing pain makes this condition hard to ignore, which is why you should seek treatment. Our doctors provide thorough treatment that will leave you pain-free. Contact us to schedule your consultation!
What is plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is a ligament that stretches across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to the front of your foot. This band of tissue is pulled taut, providing support for your arches while acting as a shock absorber for your foot.
However, in its role both providing support and shock absorption, your plantar fascia undergoes a stress, which can lead to tiny tears in the tissue over time. These tears can cause inflammation in the band, causing pain in your heels and along the underside of your foot. Together, this creates plantar fasciitis.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The first thing anyone with plantar fasciitis notices is the hallmark stabbing pain. When you walk on your inflamed plantar fascia, the tissue painfully objects.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis typically develops when repetitive stresses cause tiny tears in your tissue. Certain factors may put you at risk, including:
- Age: the older you are, the more prone you are to plantar fasciitis
- Exercises where you apply concussive force, such as running on hard surfaces
- The structure of your feet: both flat feet and high arches can contribute to plantar fasciitis
- Obesity
- Spending long periods on your feet
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
When you visit one of our specialists, they perform a thorough evaluation to diagnose the problem. Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor will recommend one of the following treatments:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy and stretching exercises
- Orthotics
- Night splints
- Corticosteroid injections
- Shockwave therapy
- Scar removal
However, if your pain persists after treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or visit your primary care physician for a referral!
