Plantar Fasciitis

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that develops when the thick band of tissue on the underside of your foot (plantar fascia) stretches too far and becomes inflamed.

The plantar fascia connects your toes to your heel bone and can become irritated with too much pressure on the tissue. Some will also develop tears in the tissue that contribute to inflammation and pain.

Your risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis increase as you get older, and the tissues in your foot begin to weaken. Other common causes of plantar fasciitis can include:

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Obesity
• Repetitive exercise

If you spend a lot of time standing or walking on hard surfaces, you might also be at high risk for tears in your plantar fascia.

When should I seek treatment for plantar fasciitis?

If you have unexplained pain in the bottom of your foot or heel, you should schedule a consultation at Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery. Their providers can evaluate your plantar fascia to identify strains and tears that are causing your symptoms.

If you delay treatment for heel pain relating to plantar fasciitis, your condition may worsen. This painful condition can also affect how you walk, which can lead to complications that interfere with the health of your hips, feet, and back.

The providers offer in-office X-rays and other diagnostic imaging tests to identify inflammation and tears in your foot. These tests can also rule out bone spurs and other causes of persistent heel pain.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Initially, your treatment for plantar fasciitis pain may focus on rest to give your tissues time to heal. You might also need to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications.

If rest isn’t enough to treat your heel pain, you might benefit from physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the tissues in your feet. Orthotic shoe inserts can also help take the pressure off of your heel, and you should avoid high heels and other constricting footwear.

In some cases, plantar fasciitis requires more invasive treatments like steroid injections or surgery. If you need surgery, your surgeon will focus on detaching the plantar fascia from your heel bone to prevent recurrent inflammation and pain.

Learn more about your options for treating plantar fasciitis pain by calling the Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery office nearest you, or schedule an appointment online today.