Plantar Fasciitis

Do you have heel pain? Is your pain more severe when you first wake up in the morning? Chances are you have plantar fasciitis. Amir Azer, DPM, and the team at Total Foot and Ankle Care can provide the care you need to relieve your heel pain and resolve plantar fasciitis. Call the office in Hurst or Dallas, Texas, or schedule an appointment online today.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the ligament on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel to your toes. Your plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and absorbs the stress when you walk, run, or jump.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when you put too much pressure on the ligament, creating tiny tears in the tissue that causes inflammation and pain. There’s no single cause of plantar fasciitis, but it’s more common in athletes, people with high arches, and people who stand on their feet for long periods.

Carrying extra body weight and wearing shoes that fail to provide adequate arch support may also lead to plantar fasciitis. 

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Heel pain is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis. Most people experience this pain during their first few steps after sitting or resting for a long period of time. The pain tends to improve after walking for a few minutes.

You may also notice an increase in pain after you workout, not during. 

Plantar fasciitis pain lasts for months. If you have chronic heel pain, the team at Total Foot and Ankle Care can help you get the care you need.

What happens during a plantar fasciitis evaluation?

Your podiatrist at Total Foot and Ankle Care conducts a thorough history and physical when you come in for a plantar fasciitis evaluation. They review your symptoms, medical history, and daily routine.

Your provider examines your feet, feeling for areas of tenderness. The team may request X-rays to rule out other foot conditions that might explain your heel pain.

What are some treatments for plantar fasciitis?

The Total Foot and Ankle Care team customizes your plantar fasciitis treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and how it affects your lifestyle. However, it can take several months for the plantar fascia to heal and your pain to go away.

Taking a conservative approach to care, the team may recommend:

• Wearing supportive shoes
• Activity changes
• Custom-made orthotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• At-home stretching and exercise program
• Physical therapy
• Icing

If you continue to have heel pain after 12 months of medical care, the team at Total Foot and Ankle Care may recommend surgery to lengthen the calf muscles or cut the plantar fascia to ease the tension. Surgery for plantar fasciitis is rare.

To schedule your plantar fasciitis consultation at Total Foot and Ankle Care, call the office or book an appointment online today.