What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that leads to inflammation of your plantar fascia, which is the long, fibrous band of tissues that connects your heel bone to your toes. Your plantar fascia is also known as the shock absorbing the band of tissues that support the arch of your foot.
Trauma, injury, or overuse can all certainly lead to plantar fasciitis issues. But you may also develop plantar fasciitis because of:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a very high arch
- Starting a new workout or exercise
- Having tight calf muscles
Many plantar fasciitis sufferers also have heel spurs. While heel spurs don’t cause plantar fasciitis, the two conditions cause similar symptoms and can often be treated concurrently.
Are there symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Yes. Most men and women who come into Hoosier Foot & Ankle complain of heel pain, which is the primary symptom of plantar fasciitis. It’s also common to experience pain:
- After exercise or activity, rather than during
- That’s worse upon waking
- Along the bottom of your foot
Generally, your dedicated podiatrist at Hoosier Foot & Ankle can diagnose plantar fasciitis by performing a thorough examination, checking for tenderness and range-of-motion functions. They may order an X-ray, too, which doesn’t help diagnose plantar fasciitis, but it can rule out other causes of foot pain, such as arthritis. Once your dedicated podiatrist diagnoses you, they can start putting together your treatment plan.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
In most cases, conservative care and treatment help resolve plantar fasciitis pain within several months. The team at Hoosier Foot & Ankle is likely going to include several of these therapies in your plantar fasciitis treatment plan:
- Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT®)
- Daily calf and plantar fasciitis stretches
- Custom orthotic inserts
- Cortisone injections
- Physical therapy
- Night splints
If you haven’t had improvement after several months, or if your condition is getting worse, your podiatrist might talk with you about surgery. Plantar fasciitis surgery involves releasing your plantar fascia, lengthening your calf muscle, or both. This minimally invasive surgery is usually only performed as a last resort.
Learn more about modern plantar fasciitis treatments by scheduling an evaluation at Hoosier Foot & Ankle. Book either online or over the phone.
