Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that means you have inflammation and swelling of your plantar fascia. This band of connective tissue links your heel bone to your toes along the bottom of your foot. Although your plantar fascia can certainly stretch out, absorb shock, and bounce back into place with each step you take, it can wear down over time.

If you develop plantar fasciitis, it’s probably caused by a combination of issues, including:

• Activity overloads, such as jogging, climbing, or sports
• Stress from being on your feet all day for work
• Obesity or being overweight
• Development of heel spurs 

Inherited disorders can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, too. For instance, if you have naturally flat feet or high arches, you may have added stress on your plantar fascia, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. 

How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis leads to a variety of symptoms that are usually at their worst after long periods of inactivity. You may have agonizing heel pain, for example, right after you get out of bed or get up from sitting at your desk at work. Plantar fasciitis can lead to:

• Swelling around your heel or ankle
• Sharp or stabbing heel pain
• Sore or aching arches

It’s also common for plantar fasciitis to cause discomfort if you climb stairs or stand on your tiptoes. Plantar fasciitis doesn’t usually flare-up during exercise or sporting activities, although it can lead to pain shortly afterward. In any case, the team of board-certified podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center can help you get relief from plantar fasciitis. 

Can I get treatment for plantar fasciitis?

Yes! If your plantar fasciitis symptoms are minor or infrequent, or if symptoms are starting to lower your quality of life and prevent you from exercising, you have options for treatment at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center. 

Treating plantar fasciitis usually includes combining several of the following solutions:

• Night splints
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Custom-molded orthotics
• Regular icing and stretching 
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

The skilled team of foot and ankle surgeons at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center may recommend plantar fasciitis surgery if conservative treatments fail or if you have a physical deformity that needs correction, like a heel spur. 

Schedule your plantar fasciitis evaluation at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center directly through the online scheduler. You can also call to speak with a team member.