Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Fleming Island, FL
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that particularly causes a great deal of pain in the heel area. Some patients have described the pain as stabbing and is typically felt in the morning, when first getting out of bed. You may also experience pain with this condition if you stand or sit for long periods of time throughout the day. The development of plantar fasciitis is quite common among runners, those who are overweight, and those who do not get enough support from their footwear.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes and supporting the arch. It acts like a shock absorber with every step. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults. The pain is usually felt on the bottom of the heel or along the arch, and it often eases after a few minutes of walking, only to return after rest or long periods on your feet. Pain may also be worse after exercise rather than during it. Other risk factors include tight calf muscles, flat feet or high arches, jobs that involve long hours of standing on hard surfaces, and a sudden increase in activity.
What Happens If Plantar Fasciitis Is Left Untreated
When small tears occur on the fascia, it may become inflamed, especially if too much pressure is put on the tissue. It’s extremely important that you seek professional help as soon as you feel any type of foot pain. If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, there’s a high chance you may develop chronic heel pain. You may also develop other issues connected with your foot, knee, hip, or back, all due to the body walking differently to relieve pain felt from plantar fasciitis.
Ongoing strain on the plantar fascia can also contribute to the development of heel spurs. The longer the condition goes untreated, the longer it tends to take to resolve, which is why early evaluation and a consistent treatment plan are so important.
Conservative Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Despite the common causes of plantar fasciitis, there are many different treatment options. For less severe cases, conservative home remedies such as taking anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain, applying ice packs to the bottom of your foot and heel, slowly stretching and exercising your feet to re-strengthen the tissue, and using orthotic devices to overcome issues such as over-pronation are all ways to help manage your plantar fasciitis.
Treatment for plantar fasciitis depends on the severity of the specific case of the condition. Ice massage applications may be used to reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is often used to treat plantar fasciitis, and this may include stretching exercises. Another treatment option is anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen.
Your podiatrist may also recommend supportive shoes with good arch support and cushioning, heel cups, athletic taping, and night splints that keep the plantar fascia gently stretched while you sleep. Custom orthotics can correct the way your foot moves and reduce the strain placed on the tissue. Avoid walking barefoot on hard floors, and replace worn-out athletic shoes. For some patients, a corticosteroid injection may be used to reduce inflammation. Most people see improvement with consistent conservative care, although full recovery can take several months.
Treatment for Severe Cases
For more severe cases however, there are still things that can be done. Shockwave therapy has become a common solution for plantar fasciitis because it effectively breaks up the tissue on the bottom of your foot via sound waves which facilitates healing and regeneration, allowing you to overcome the chronic pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Even if this doesn’t work, surgery is always a final option. Surgery on the tissue itself can be done to permanently correct the issue and stop the inflammation and pain in your heels.
Surgery is usually considered only after other treatments have been tried for an extended period without enough relief. Your podiatrist will review your options, the expected recovery, and what you can do to help prevent the condition from returning.
How Plantar Fasciitis Is Diagnosed
Plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination and a review of your symptoms. Your podiatrist will check for tenderness along the bottom of your foot, assess your arch and range of motion, and ask about your activities and footwear. X-rays or other imaging may be recommended to rule out other causes of heel pain, such as a stress fracture, and to check for heel spurs.
Tips to Help Prevent Plantar Fasciitis
Stretch your calves and the bottom of your feet regularly, especially before exercise and first thing in the morning. Maintain a healthy weight, choose supportive shoes for work and exercise, and increase the intensity of new activities gradually. If you spend long hours standing, cushioned footwear or orthotics may help reduce the stress on your heels.
For more information about plantar fasciitis, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to discuss a treatment plan.
