What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
At A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center, our team is dedicated to helping our patients enjoy a life free of foot and ankle pain. One of the most common types of foot pain is plantar fasciitis. This condition typically presents itself as a dull, intermittent pain that can progress over time and can cause disruptions in your life and daily schedule that are not only irritating but also inconvenient.
What Is This Condition?
Usually, plantar fasciitis can begin to present itself to a patient with dull pain in the heel. As the condition progresses, patients will begin to experience sharp, persistent pains in the heel and even in the arches of the foot. What causes this pain is inflammation in a thick band of tissue that stretches the length of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This inflammation causes pain and can potentially be debilitating.
Common Causes
Patients may experience plantar fasciitis for a number of reasons, but the most common cause is overstressing the plantar fascia and creating strain on the tissue. Runners tend to experience this issue, as well as those with irregularly shaped feet, such as people with high arches or flat feet. In addition, obesity may lead to plantar fasciitis because of the strain the feet endure from supporting more weight.
Common Treatments
While plantar fasciitis can become a serious problem that may need more medical intervention, thankfully the condition can also be treated conservatively. Using at-home pain relief like ibuprofen can help to alleviate inflammation and pain. Icing the pained areas and prioritizing rest can also help with recovery. However, some cases may require more in-depth treatments.
Get Help From A Step Ahead
If you think that you have plantar fasciitis, don’t hesitate! Our team is here to help you with a diagnosis and treatment plan that suits your life and your needs. Whether you simply need confirmation that your pain can be managed at home, or if you need physical therapy to help relieve the pain in your feet, our team is here to help!
When it comes to treating your feet and ankles with the utmost care, you want to work with professionals who care for feet as a specialty, not a sideline. That’s why A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center is here to help patients like you with your foot pain. From treating hammertoe to providing guidance on caring for conditions like plantar fasciitis, our team is here to help you ensure that your feet and ankles are pain-free! Learn more about our team and contact us to get started with treatment for your heel and arch pain today.