If you have a stabbing pain on the bottom of your heel that hits you when you first get out of bed in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. The pain may gradually subside as you begin to move about, but can strike again after you’ve been sitting for a while.
The plantar fascia is a thick tissue running along the bottom of your foot that connects your toes to your heel bone. Small tears in the tissue from excessive stress can cause it to become irritated or inflamed. Overpronation, or when your foot rolls inward while walking, is a common cause of plantar fasciitis. It can also affect runners and those carrying excess weight, as well as anyone wearing shoes without enough support or individuals who stand for long periods on hard surfaces.
Get Help for Your Heel Pain
Without proper treatment plantar fasciitis can develop into chronic heel pain. You may also experience knee, back or hip problems if your gait changes as your body tries to deal with the pain.
Please contact us at Clark Podiatry Center if you have persistent heel pain. We will give your feet a careful examination and take x-rays to rule out other problems like a stress fracture.
With a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, we begin with conservative treatments. These include:
- Resting and applying ice to the heel to relieve inflammation.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Gently stretching the Achilles tendon area, foot and calf to ease tightness.
- Stretching the arch and calf at night by wearing a splint to bed.
- Physical therapy.
- Steroid injections for pain relief.
Custom-fitted orthotics can relieve the stress on the plantar fascia as well as correct for an abnormal walking pattern.
New Technology To Heal Plantar Fasciitis
For persistent problems, we use Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy – also known as ESWT – to reduce inflammation and relieve heel pain. This pain-free technology uses shock waves that actually stimulate your body’s healing response. Your body grows new tissue to replace the damaged area.
ESWT treatments are non-invasive and naturally numb the area to reduce pain.
For more information, read our blog on What is Shockwave Therapy?
Don’t Suffer from Persistent Heel Pain
Dr. Brandon Macy, board certified podiatrist has extensive experience in resolving heel pain in his patients. Please call our Clark office at 732-382-3470 or use the contact information at the website to schedule an appointment. We can find a solution that works on your plantar fasciitis so come in to our office soon!