Procedure - Plantar Fasciitis

Do you suffer from persistent heel pain? Plantar fasciitis is a condition that impacts the plantar fascia tissue in the foot, often causing soreness and inflammation on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. When the plantar fascia become stressed, small tears can develop and lead to plantar fasciitis. For diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis, turn to Ogden Clinic podiatrists in Utah.

Symptoms and Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Patients with plantar fasciitis experience stabbing pains in the bottom of the foot near the heel. For many, this pain is the worst at the beginning of the day during the first few steps out of bed, after long periods of sitting or standing, and after exercise. While the cause of plantar fasciitis isn’t always clear, it often results from ongoing stress and tension on the plantar fascia. When this bow-string like tissue is under stress it can develop tears, leading to pain and decreased mobility.

Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis

Patients can recover from mild cases of plantar fasciitis with conservative treatment options such as rest, icing the affected area, and stretching. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen can also relieve pain and reduce inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.

Patients with severe plantar fasciitis may need more aggressive treatment from Ogden Clinic podiatrists to effectively manage the condition. This can include:

• Therapy: To alleviate plantar fasciitis pain, the doctor may refer patients to a physical therapist, who will share strengthening exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. They may also recommend night splints or custom-fitted arch supports to support the plantar fascia.
• Injections: If physical therapy fails to provide major results, the doctor may consider steroid injections to provide some temporary pain relief. While this can be a good solution in the short-term, injections can eventually weaken the plantar fascia and cause potential for further ruptures.
• Surgery: In extreme cases, the doctor may suggest surgery to remove the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This is only used in cases where all other treatment options fail to relieve pain.

Are you suffering from pain and inflammation in your plantar fascia? Reach out to Ogden Clinic podiatrists and schedule a plantar fasciitis consultation.