What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a chronic condition that leads to ongoing inflammation of the weblike ligament that attaches your heel bone to your forefoot — your plantar fascia. 

Your plantar fascia supports your arch and is durable enough to stretch out and contract regularly throughout the day. But it can certainly wear down over time, often because of:

• Arthritic conditions
• Development of heel spurs
• Tight Achilles tendon or calf muscles
• Certain sporting activities, particularly distance running 
• Obesity or being overweight (this can include pregnancy)

Your case of plantar fasciitis may also stem from inherited foot mechanics. For instance, if you have high arches or flatfeet, your risk of suffering from plantar fasciitis is greater.

How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is known for causing severe foot pain, particularly around your heel and up the sides of your rearfoot. During a plantar fasciitis flare-up, you may also experience:

• Burning 
• Swelling 
• Numbness
• Poor balance

What’s different about plantar fasciitis symptoms, as compared to other types of soft tissue injuries, is that the issues you experience are typically at their peak after periods of inactivity. 

Plantar fasciitis symptoms are common when you take your first steps in the morning, for example, or even when you walk around after you’ve been sitting at your desk at work for hours. 

If any of these plantar fasciitis symptoms sound familiar, no matter how minor or severe, the compassionate podiatry team at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists can help.

Which plantar fasciitis treatment is most effective?

After spending time examining you, performing nerve or muscle function tests, and gathering any essential X-ray or ultrasound imaging, your dedicated podiatrist talks with you about your plantar fasciitis treatment options. Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists often recommends combining several of the following conservative treatments to help with plantar fasciitis:

• Regular icing
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Daily stretching exercises 
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

For more severe cases, your podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists may recommend surgery. 

Plantar fasciitis surgery involves using minimally invasive techniques to release your plantar fascia, so it’s not so tense, or to remove any irritating bone spurs surrounding it. This modern type of foot surgery is highly successful for relieving plantar fasciitis pain and inflammation. 

Schedule your plantar fasciitis evaluation at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists today. Click on the online scheduler or call your most convenient office directly.