Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, known as the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that often occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting. The cause of plantar fasciitis is poorly understood. It is more common in those who have increased their activity levels or are undergoing weight changes.

Diagnosis and Treatments

Diagnosis:

Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed based on your medical history and physical exam. During the exam, our doctors check for areas of tenderness in your foot. The location of your pain can help determine its cause.

Imaging tests

Usually no tests are needed. Our doctors may suggest an X-ray or MRI to ensure other problems, such as a stress fracture, is not causing your pain.

Treatment

Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, such as icing the painful area, stretching, and modifying or staying away from activities that cause pain.

Medicines

Over the counter non steriodal anti inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can ease the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis.

Therapies

Physical therapy or using special devices might relieve symptoms. Treatment may include:

Physical therapy: Therapy may include exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles.
Night splints. Your care team might recommend that you wear a splint that holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight to promote stretching while you sleep.
Orthotics. Our doctors can prescribe off-the-shelf or custom-fitted arch supports, called orthotics, to distribute the pressure on your feet more evenly.
Walking boot, canes or crutches: Our doctors may suggest one of these for a brief period either to keep you from moving your foot or to keep you from placing your full weight on your foot.

Surgical or other procedures

If more-conservative measures aren't working after several months, our doctors have other treatment options.

Injections. Injecting steroid medicine into the tender area can provide temporary pain relief.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain to stimulate healing. This is for chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn't responded to more-conservative treatments. Some studies show promising results, though this therapy hasn't been shown to be consistently effective.
Ultrasonic tissue repair. This minimally invasive technology uses ultrasound imaging to guide a needlelike probe into the damaged plantar fascia tissue. The probe tip then vibrates rapidly to break up the damaged tissue, which is suctioned out.
Surgery. A select few patients may require plantar fascial surgery. It is an option only when the pain is serious and other treatments have failed. US Podiatry group ensures you understand your problem and if surgery is warranted or not.