If you’ve ever experienced sharp pain in the bottom of your heel, especially during your first steps in the morning, you may be familiar with plantar fasciitis. At Montana Foot and Ankle we see many people that struggle with plantar fasciitis. Thankfully, Dr. Wright has years of experience in treating this uncomfortable and painful condition. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects the thin band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the base of the toes known as the plantar fascia. We will dive into the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of plantar fasciitis to help you better understand this condition and how to manage it.
Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis
Diagnosing plantar fasciitis typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination by Dr. Wright here at the Montana Foot and Ankle clinic. Dr. Wright may ask you about your symptoms, such as pain in the bottom of the foot, especially in the morning or after periods of rest, as well as any relevant medical conditions or activities that may have contributed to the development of plantar fasciitis.
In addition to the physical examination, imaging tests such as X-Rays or a MRI may be ordered to rule out other possible causes of foot pain, such as stress fractures or tendinitis. These tests help Dr Wright assess the severity of the condition and guide him to the appropriate treatment plan.
Prevention of Plantar Fasciitis
We want to do everything we can to try and prevent plantar fasciitis.Here are some tips to help you reduce your risk of developing this condition:
- Wear appropriate footwear: Choose shoes that provide proper arch support, cushioning, and shock absorption. Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with poor arch support and thin soles for long periods, especially if you have a job that requires prolonged standing or walking.
- Stretch regularly: Incorporate regular stretching exercises for your calf muscles and plantar fascia into your routine, especially before and after physical activities. This can help improve flexibility and reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts additional strain on the feet, including the plantar fascia. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
- Gradual increase in physical activity: Avoid sudden increases in intensity or duration of physical activity, especially high-impact activities such as running. Gradually increase your activity level and allow your feet to adapt to the changes.
- Proper foot posture: Be mindful of your foot posture and avoid prolonged periods of standing or walking with poor foot mechanics, such as walking with your toes pointed out or in. Consider using orthotic inserts or arch supports to help maintain proper foot alignment.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
If you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, there are various treatment options available to help alleviate the pain and promote healing. Treatment plans may vary depending on the severity of the condition, overall health, lifestyle, and activity level. Here are some common treatment approaches:
- Physical Therapy: Specific stretching exercises for the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia can help improve flexibility and reduce strain on the plantar fascia. A physical therapist can also help improve gait and overall body movement to help prevent injury and pain.
- Steroid injection: Steroids are a commonly used anti-inflammatory medication for pain that persists even with other treatment options for plantar fasciitis, a series of 3 steroid injections are typically used to help lower the body’s inflammation of the plantar fascia. This can be a curative treatment for most people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
- Orthotics: Custom-made orthotic inserts provide arch and heel support specifically for your feet, which helps properly distribute weight and alleviate overexerted muscles, ligaments and tendons. Orthotics can also help prevent plantar fasciitis from recurring.
- Surgical intervention. Dr Wright is a board certified and fellowship trained surgeon. For people whose pain persists past all conservative treatments, surgery can help relieve their plantar fasciitis. A plantar fasciitis surgery includes breaking up the thickened and inflamed plantar fascia and lengthening the muscles and tendons in the calf to allow the heel to rest in a more natural alignment. If necessary, a bone spur on the heel bone will also be shaved down because that can increase inflammation in the plantar fascia.
If you or a loved one has or thinks they may have plantar fasciitis, please call us at Montana Foot and Ankle. Dr. Wright is always ready to help no matter how bad the pain.