Why You Should See Dr. Joel Foster if You Have Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis/Fasciosis
Dr. Joel Foster has the expertise to differentiate between various causes of heel pain and accurately diagnose conditions such as plantar fasciitis/fasciosis. He will evaluate your symptoms, review your medical history, and perform a physical examination. After the diagnosis, he will develop a customized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause of your heel pain. If it’s a plantar fascial issue, a combination of conservative treatments is often effective, such as:
- Rest
- Icing and Aquaroll treatment
- Stretching exercises
- Custom foot orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Footwear modifications
In some cases, more advanced treatments like Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), therapeutic laser treatment or corticosteroid injections may be recommended. If non-surgical options don’t provide relief from your heel pain, surgery may be an option to consider. One surgical option for plantar fascial pain is HyProCure procedure. This option permanently realigns and restores balance to your feet.
Complications from Untreated Plantar Fasciitis/Fasciosis
This condition can have a significant impact on your daily activities and overall quality of life, including, but not limited to:
- Chronic heel pain. This worsens over time if left untreated, making it difficult to stand, walk, or engage in physical activities.
- Heel spurs. Prolonged stress and inflammation of the plantar structures lead to the formation of heel spurs, which are bony growths on the heel bone. Although not all heel spurs cause pain, they contribute to further discomfort and in severe cases, require surgical intervention.
- Altered gait. To avoid pain caused by plantar fasciosis, you may unconsciously change your walking pattern. This altered gait can lead to additional strain on other parts of your feet, as well as your knees, legs, hips, and back, potentially causing further musculoskeletal issues and imbalances.
- Decreased mobility. Severe untreated plantar fasciosis limits mobility and discourages you from participating in physical activities. This reduction in activity can negatively impact your overall health and well-being.
