Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common orthopedic complaints. The plantar fascia is a very thin ligament connecting your heel to the bottom of your foot that has a purpose of supporting the arch of the foot to help you walk. These ligaments bear a lot of wear and tear in a lifetime. When you have too much pressure or weight on your feet, it can damage or tear the ligaments, causing inflammation, pain and stiffness.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

Most of the complaints of this condition are of pain and stiffness either in the bottom of the heel or in the bottom of the arch. It can affect both feet, but is more likely to be in only one foot. It may be a dull or sharp pain, and the heel may burn or ache. The pain is most often worse when you take your first few steps in the morning, or sitting or lying down for quite some time. This condition makes climbing stairs difficult, as the heel doesn’t operate properly.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Many conditions can cause plantar fasciitis. Overweight or obese people often experience this condition. Pregnant women often have this condition in the late stages of pregnancy when they gain the most weight. People who stand many hours a day at work and long distance runners experience this quite often. People with high arches or flat feet are susceptible to this condition.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

After a doctor examines your feet and diagnoses you with plantar fasciitis, he will want to reduce the inflammation in the ligament to give you pain relief. Your course of treatment may include staying off your feet and the application of ice for about 20 minutes at a time for three or four times a day. He may also recommend arch supports for your feet and stretching exercises. Most prescribe a nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the inflammation in the ligament.

The use of physical therapy can greatly decrease your discomfort in plantar fasciitis treatments along with a corticosteroid injection into the ligament. He may also prescribe topical corticosteroids and apply an electrical current to move the medication into your muscle.

The most dramatic treatment involves surgery as a last option, but this is rarely needed for relief.

If you suspect plantar fasciitis call us at (972) 318-2738 in Lewisville,  (972) 805-9985 in Plano,  or (972) 318-2655 in Irving for a complete exam, a diagnosis and treatment to relive your foot pain.