Plantar Fasciitis

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation in a band of connective tissue running along the bottom of your foot. This tissue, the plantar fascia, begins as a wide band at your heel, then divides into five narrow bands that connect to each toe.

The plantar fascia has several essential jobs, including absorbing shock when you walk and supporting the arch. As a result, it takes on a lot of stress that can lead to inflammation.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

The stress of repeatedly using your foot every day is the top cause of plantar fasciitis. This type of overuse injury gradually causes inflammation.

The following conditions also increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis:

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Tight calf muscles
• Tight Achilles tendon
• High-impact activities (running and jumping)
• Shoes without arch support
• Overpronation (rolling your foot inward)
• Standing for a long time on hard surfaces

After plantar fasciitis develops, the inflamed tissues weaken and can easily tear. Without treatment, what starts as a small tear progressively enlarges.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Sharp heel pain is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis. Your pain usually feels worse when you start walking in the morning or after resting, then improves as you keep moving.

You may feel pain in the arch or develop swelling in your heel. Plantar fasciitis pain is typically worse after you finish exercising (instead of during activities).

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

The team at Forward Foot & Ankle Associates begins your treatment with rest or immobilizing your foot. This gives the plantar fascia time to heel without ongoing stress. 

You may also need conservative treatments, such as:

• Icing the bottom of your foot
• Doing gentle stretching
• Taking anti-inflammatory drugs
• Getting corticosteroid injections
• Using customized orthotics
• Wearing night splints
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

 If your pain doesn’t improve, your provider may recommend: 

Cold laser therapy
Cold laser therapy, also called low-level light therapy (LLLT), sends light safely through your skin to reach the plantar fascia. The therapeutic wavelength used during cold laser therapy reduces inflammation, increases circulation, and accelerates healing. 

Minimally invasive surgery
If your pain persists despite nonsurgical treatments, your provider at Forward Foot & Ankle Associates may recommend minimally invasive, plantar fascia release surgery.

Don’t wait to seek help for heel pain. Call Forward Foot & Ankle Associates or request an appointment online today.

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