Approximately two million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis. And whether you’re 25 years or 65 years old, plantar fasciitis can take a toll on you.
Increased activity levels like running and walking can cause plantar fasciitis. Your foot’s structure and the type of shoes you wear, too, can also cause plantar fasciitis.
Fortunately, plantar fasciitis is treatable. Early diagnosis can help us treat you non-surgically before the condition gets to the point of needing surgery.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the protuberance of your plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a stiff fibrous connection of tissues running along your foot’s sole. It attaches to your toes’ base and the heel bone.
And the plantar fascia supports your foot’s arch. It influences typical foot movements as you walk. The plantar fascia supports your body’s pressure and bears your weight.
What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
You could be suffering from plantar fasciitis if you experience heel pain and the pain worsens when you stand after long hours of sitting.
At times you may feel heel pain in the morning after waking up. Yet, as you engage in different activities, the heel pain slowly goes away. You may have plantar fasciitis if your heel pain also comes when you stand for long hours.
You may also suffer from plantar fasciitis if you have a high arch. Or, you have maximum tenderness on your foot’s bottom in front of the heel bone.
Plantar fasciitis also limits your ankle’s upward motion. The heel pain can worsen upon flexing your foot or pushing the plantar fascia.
How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Fortunately, studies show that at least 90% of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis can treat it without surgery. You can also seek the doctor’s intervention or use some anti-inflammatory agents.
There are several treatment options for managing and eliminating plantar fasciitis.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Rest
You can eliminate heel pain by reducing the number of activities that worsen the pain. You may stop some activities like step aerobics and running if you’re an athlete.
These athletic activities force your feet to pound on hard surfaces, adding more pressure to the tensed plantar fascia.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (EPAT)
We can also perform Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on you to stimulate the recovery of your plantar fascia tissues.
Ice Therapy
You can ice the sore part of your foot at least five times a day. Icing and Aquaroll therapies reduce inflammation and may relieve your pain. You can also roll your foot over ice for at least 20 minutes four times a day.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
You can use over-the-counter nonsteroidal drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve your heel pain. Naproxen and ibuprofen can serve you better.
Supportive Shoes
If your plantar fasciitis doesn’t require a cortisone injection, we may advise you to wear supportive shoes. Supportive shoes are under our custom orthotic care programs and have thick soles.
The shoe’s extra cushions can reduce your heel pain as you stand or walk. We also have orthotic shoe inserts which can elevate and cushion your heel against excessive pressure.
Cortisone Injections
We may give you a cortisone injection if the self-treatments aren’t curing your plantar fascia. But we also limit cortisone injections as too many injections may rupture your plantar fascia.
Physical Therapy
We may also recommend physical therapy. Professional physical therapists can massage your heel or offer you specialized ice therapies.
Surgical Treatment
We only perform surgery on you if all the non-surgical treatment options have failed to reduce your pain. Our surgical treatments may involve:
HyProCure is a permanent, internal solution that can provide a lifetime of relief in just half an hour.
Start Your Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Today at Our Lee's Summit Office
To finally solve your plantar fasciitis pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Joel Foster in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Please reach out to us online or give our office a call at (816) 246-4222.