What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that develops when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, becomes torn and inflamed.
The plantar fascia acts like a shock absorber, protecting the arch of your foot. Too much stress on this tissue leads to small tears, inflammation, and chronic stabbing pain in your heel. At first, this pain is worse when you wake up or after you exercise, but eventually, it can become severe enough to interfere with walking and other physical activity.
While anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, the condition is common in athletes, especially runners, and you may be more prone to developing plantar fasciitis pain as you get older or if you’re overweight. It’s common among people who work on their feet, including teachers, nurses, and factory workers.
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
Several conditions can trigger chronic heel pain, and Dr. Jurcisin is skilled in diagnosing the root cause of your pain and then designing a custom treatment plan.
In some cases, Dr. Jurcisin can diagnose plantar fasciitis just by examining your foot. It may be sufficient to locate the pain in your foot and ask about your symptoms.
You may need an imaging test, like an X-ray, to rule out other causes of foot pain such as fractures or bone spurs. Dr. Jurcisin also reviews your medical history and discusses your usual activities to confirm plantar fasciitis as the source of your pain.
He also works to understand what led to the damage in your plantar fascia and provides resources to help you prevent additional damage in the future.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
You may find relief from the chronic heel pain of plantar fasciitis by taking over-the-counter medications and doing stretching exercises. You may also need to limit your physical activities, especially running, to rest your feet and give them a chance to heal.
If you’re still in pain after several weeks, Dr. Jurcisin may recommend devices including recommend orthotics—custom shoe inserts—as well as padding, night splints, or a removable walking cast. These approaches can stabilize and relieve pressure on your feet. You may also benefit from steroid injections and further physical therapy to relieve pain.
Most patients respond to nonsurgical treatment for plantar fasciitis. However, if your symptoms don’t respond to conservative treatment, Dr. Jurcisin may recommend surgery to release tension and relieve inflammation. Surgery can improve your mobility, relieve your pain, and promote healing.
Don’t ignore the signs of plantar fasciitis. Schedule an appointment at Precision Footcare online or over the phone.
