Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury characterized by chronic heel pain. It occurs when your plantar fascia, a thick band of fibrous tissue, develops small tears due to general wear-and-tear. Over time, these tears swell, resulting in pain, stiffness, and immobility.
Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, but it’s especially common in athletes and people who are overweight. Research shows that losing even just five or 10 pounds can significantly ease uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life.
The most obvious symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp, stabbing pain at the base of your heel. Other telltale signs include foot pain that increases with long periods of sitting or standing or pain that’s worse in the morning when you first wake up.
Plantar fasciitis affects all types of people, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
You’re also more likely to experience plantar fasciitis if you participate in certain types of exercise like running, jogging, or ballet.
Yes. When left untreated, plantar fasciitis can affect your gait and posture. If you change the way you walk to limit pain or discomfort, it increases the risk of back, hip, or knee pain.
If you regularly experience heel pain, and it doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, contact the team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates right away.
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your DeLoor Podiatry Associates provider physically examines your feet and ankles, asks about your symptoms, and has you perform a series of in-office exercises.
Afterward, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI, to determine if an underlying issue, like a fracture or bone spur, is the source of your discomfort.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis respond to conservative treatments like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. If your symptoms progress, the team might recommend:
If you experience severe heel pain and no other treatments provide relief, surgical intervention may be necessary. During surgery for plantar fasciitis, your provider detaches the plantar fascia from your heel bone.
To explore treatment for plantar fasciitis, make an appointment at DeLoor Podiatry Associates by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking tool today.
