Plantar Fasciitis Treatment: What You Should Know

Patients often visit our podiatry office for a plantar fasciitis treatment, a condition that few people are aware of until they receive a proper diagnosis. Tissue connects the toes to the heel bone. When this tissue becomes inflamed, a patient has plantar fasciitis.

SIGNS OF THE CONDITION

Symptoms include:

Pain near the heel that could be persistent and sometimes stabbing
Discomfort when walking
Pain when wearing certain shoes
Weakness in the feet or heel
Swollen feet

Being over 40 years of age increases the likelihood of developing this condition.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS TREATMENT

There are several ways to treat this condition. When a patient visits our office, we conduct a thorough examination, ask questions to determine the nature of the pain, when it first started and what life is like with the condition. This allows us to make treatment recommendations that are specific, rather than general.

However, there are certain activities and treatments that can be beneficial, including:

STEROID INJECTIONS AND MEDICATIONS

Injections are given in our office when the pain is extreme, but prescription medications taken at home may also help to reduce the inflammation with pain management.

STRETCHING

By stretching, patients can improve their overall flexibility to reduce the likelihood of the plantar fascia from becoming inflamed.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Muscle strength is critical for preventing damage to all parts of the body, making strengthening exercises a viable solution for injury prevention.

WEARING SHOE INSERTS

Occasionally, this condition is brought on by wearing certain shoes, so by using shoe inserts the feet gain the support necessary to prevent straining the muscle.

SURGERY AS AN OPTION

We recommend exploring all non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment options, such as steroid injections, first. This is wise, regardless of the condition a patient is suffering from. If those treatment options produce results and alleviate pain, excellent. If not, surgery may be necessary for solving the issue on a long-term basis. During the surgery, a portion of the ligament will be cut so that the tension can be released. As a result, inflammation will be reduced and so will the pain.

Sometimes, this is done in combination with stretching the ligament or removing a heel spur. Each patient is different so we need to conduct a physical examination before making a recommendation of surgery and, still, we often want patients to try non-invasive options for several months first.

All surgeries have a set recovery time and foot surgery is no different. It is wise to take some time off work immediately following the procedure and it may take some time to walk around comfortably, placing some restrictions on daily activities. Planning for this allows patients to obtain the help necessary to rest and recover without the stress of caring for the household or working in a physically strenuous job.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Learn more about the condition in general and plantar fasciitis treatment by calling our office and scheduling an examination. Take the steps necessary to improve the health of your feet and your quality of life.