Chronic heel pain could be a warning sign that you have plantar fasciitis. Don’t delay in getting your plantar fasciitis discomfort treated.
Our orthopedic surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained in all forms of foot and ankle care. Call one of our offices in Columbus, OH or book an appointment online today!
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.
“I had been in severe pain for a few months with an acute case of plantar fasciitis. I was trying to let time and stretching heal me, but the daily pain in walking or any kind of leg/foot movement was affecting everything I did (or tried to do). They were professional, fast, and easy to work with. I won’t go into the treatment in detail, but the end result is that I’m not in pain anymore. I unreservedly recommend this office and staff!” — H. M. C.
Plantar fasciitis is an orthopedic condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue located in the sole of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes. This band of tissue forms an arch in your foot and aids in shock absorption while performing activities such as walking, running, and jumping.
The position and function of your plantar fascia require it to endure a lot of pressure every day. It’s because of this that plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions.
Plantar fasciitis occurs as a result of overuse or overstretching of the plantar fascia. It may also develop due to tiny tears or because of the structure of your foot.
The following list shows some ways that plantar fasciitis may occur:
You are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you are active and between the age of 40 and 70. Women are at slightly greater risk, especially in the latter stages of pregnancy.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The following list contains many of the possible symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis:
Plantar fasciitis is not a medical emergency. However, if you have been experiencing heel or foot pain for more than a week, seeing an orthopedic doctor with experience in podiatry will get you access to treatment and ensure a faster recovery.
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, our doctor will begin with a physical exam. We will first examine your foot to identify the location of the pain. This can help rule out any other causes of pain.
Our doctor may also ask you to flex your foot while applying pressure to your plantar fascia. If you have increased pain while flexing your foot and an improvement when you point your toe, it often indicates plantar fasciitis.
You may also require the following imaging testing:
Your doctor will likely begin to treat plantar fasciitis with conservative treatments to help manage your pain. Some examples are mentioned in the following list:
If you have chronic plantar fasciitis that doesn’t improve with conservative treatments, you may be recommended for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. However, on some rare occasions, surgery may be recommended.
You can add simple things to your routine to help prevent plantar fasciitis. Try the following suggestions to prevent plantar fasciitis:
Plantar Fasciitis can cause sharp and stabbing heel pain in the arch area and may be worse when putting weight onto the foot. It is often caused by repetitive stress on the foot, such as running or standing for long periods of time, but it can also be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Don’t delay in getting your plantar fasciitis discomfort treated. Our skilled surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained to treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions.
Contact us today to make an appointment today! We have convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus, OH. Our doctors are ready to help you resolve your foot discomfort.
Medically Reviewed by: Roberto A. Brandão, DPM, FACFAS
