Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the foot that is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which runs the length and supports the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia is a band of supportive, fibrous tissue that connects at the heel and extends to the toes.

When the plantar fascia is overstretched, it causes small tears in the tissue, which causes inflammation, and mild to severe pain. Plantar fasciitis is often more painful when you first step down after resting, specifically in the morning.

Chronic plantar fasciitis can lead to a buildup of calcium to form where the fascia connects to the heel bone. This is called a heel spur and often causes the pain that prompts people to seek treatment.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is most commonly the result of overstretching of the fascia, due to overuse or lack of support. Causes include:

• Obesity or being overweight
• Running or jogging without proper support
• Jumping or weight lifting activities
• Prolonged standing or walking
• Flat-footedness, either congenital or acquired
• Leg, ankle, or foot injuries
• Altered gait, due to injury or illness

Jobs that require you to be on your feet a lot can cause overuse injuries, like plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis can come and go and may be more severe at some times than others.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. Other symptoms include:

• Tenderness or swelling of the heel bone
• Pain with first steps after rest
• Burning or tingling on bottom or back of the heel
• Throbbing or burning after prolonged standing or walking
• Calf tightness or stiffness

If you have symptoms of plantar fasciitis, treatment at Premier Foot & Ankle is important to avoid long-term complications that could make mobility difficult and worsen your pain.

What are the treatments for plantar fasciitis?

The team at Premier Foot & Ankle offers a wide variety of services to help prevent and treat your plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• At-home exercises and stretches
• Ice therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Braces or splints
• Shoe inserts and specialized footwear

They also proudly offer advanced, noninvasive or minimally invasive treatments, such as:

• Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT®)
• PodiaTherm™ radiofrequency therapy
• Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

If these conservative, nonsurgical methods do not relieve your pain, surgery may be the best option. The severity of your plantar fasciitis determines the methods and type of surgical procedure used. The team at Premier Foot & Ankle can help you find relief from plantar fasciitis.

For a consultation regarding your heel pain and whether it is plantar fasciitis, call or schedule an appointment with Premier Foot & Ankle.