If you have been suffering from heel pain for a while now, you can breathe a sigh of relief to know that the pain associated with plantar fasciitis can come to an end. With the correct plantar fasciitis treatment from Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen, you will be pain-free in no time. Most often, inflammation of the plantar fascia begins when daily activity such as running or taking the stairs causes micro-tears of the ligament or soft tissue that attaches your heel bone to your toes. When this happens, you start to feel severe heel pain.
Don’t worry; at Yeargain Foot & Ankle we will work with you to develop a plantar fasciitis treatment plan that will suit your daily activities and put you on the road to recovery. The earlier we catch the problem, the sooner you will feel better. Here, we take a closer look at plantar fasciitis in the below post and discuss everything you need to know
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue called plantar fascia. The plantar fascia originates on the bottom of your heel and extends to your toes, supporting your foot’s arch. It functions to absorb the high stress and strain placed on your feet with each step you take. If the pressure is too great, this can cause damage or tears in the plantar fascia.
The body’s natural response to injury or damage is inflammation, which results in the dreaded heel pain and stiffness of plantar fasciitis. Most patients with this condition complain of “pain with the first step out of bed” or after inactivity called post-static dyskinesia. Plantar fasciitis is sometimes called heel spur syndrome, and on an x-ray, there may be a small bone spur located on the bottom of the heel. Remember, the spur itself is typically not the cause of pain, but the plantar fascia’s inflammation causes it.
Who usually ‘gets’ plantar fasciitis and how?
This condition is often seen in people who have overly flat feet or high-arched foot types. Wearing unsupportive footwear (flip flops, flats, or dress shoes) or walking barefoot on hard surfaces can put stress on your plantar fascia. Repetitive impact activities such as running, ballet dancing, tennis, volleyball, and other sports can contribute to the onset of plantar fasciitis. Tight calf muscles, new or increased activity, and obesity are other risk factors for plantar fasciitis.
Are there ways I can reduce the pain at home?
Yes, there are ways to reduce your pain when symptoms first present. We recommend decreasing activity and taking OTC NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to ease your pain. Applying ice to your heel and arch can also help reduce the inflammation causing your pain. If symptoms persist or worsen after a few days, you should schedule an appointment to see a foot and ankle specialist who can provide plantar fasciitis treatment. An x-ray may be warranted to rule out fractures or other injuries. YF&A has a digital x-ray system right in our office for immediate results.
Exercises are essential in treating and preventing plantar fasciitis. Tight muscles in your feet and calves are among the leading causes, so stretching is the most effective way to relieve your pain and in preventing plantar fasciitis future flare-ups. In addition to stretching, it’s also recommended to avoid being barefoot on hard surfaces such as hardwoods, tile, concrete which can further irritate your plantar fasciitis. We will discuss shoe recommendations and provide a list of supportive sandals and supportive athletic and dress shoes upon the first in-office visit.
How does a Podiatrist treat plantar fasciitis and what process will I experience at your practice?
Podiatrists are the specialists to contact when it comes to plantar fasciitis treatment. The majority of the time, nonsurgical methods can be utilized to address this condition’s future flare-ups. At Yeargain Foot & Ankle, we have numerous excellent outcomes using our nonsurgical plantar fasciitis treatment protocol, including custom orthotics and night splints.
Starting with your initial visit, we will target the true source of your pain and focus on specific stretching techniques and shoe inserts. If your pain is severe, we can always consider a steroid injection to reduce inflammation, causing your pain. Our goal is to get you healed up as quickly as possible to improve your overall quality of life and get you back on the field, court, or trail to the activities you love most!
Soft tissue injuries like plantar fasciitis respond quite well to physical therapy. We work closely with a few different sports rehab PT groups throughout the DFW area and can get you set up with an appointment.
Surgical intervention is needed in less than 10% of all plantar fasciitis cases and is only considered if nonsurgical methods fail to resolve your symptoms fully. Typically we will start with advanced imaging, such as an MRI or ultrasound, to determine if surgery is required. If this is the case, endoscopic or minimally invasive surgery can be performed, which results in a short recovery time versus traditional open surgical procedures.
How long should I expect to experience pain or deal with plantar fasciitis issues?
Plantar fasciitis typically does not self-resolve and can worsen and create a chronic, progressive disorder if not correctly treated. Each patient is different, but more severe conditions usually take longer to heal. This is why we recommend coming in early, at the first sign of a problem. The sooner the plantar fasciitis treatment begins, the quicker you can get back to the physical activities you enjoy the most.
Will it ever go away completely?
We at Yeargain Foot & Ankle won’t stop at the reduction of your symptoms but will follow through to make sure we address the underlying causes of your condition so that you can learn how to prevent this from coming back in the future and remain pain-free long term.
Contact Us Today
If you suspect you have plantar fasciitis, don’t delay; book an appointment with Yeargain Foot & Ankle today. When you have plantar fasciitis and are in severe pain, it’s essential to see a specialist such as Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen to access treatment that will put you on the path to recovery as soon as possible. As always, Dr. Yeargain, Dr. Joseph Agyen Jr, and the clinic’s staff want their patients to heal as fast as possible while causing minimal disruption to their everyday lives. Our team wants you looking and feeling better!
To learn more about plantar fasciitis, have a look at our plantar fasciitis page. To book an appointment at Yeargain Foot & Ankle, call (972) 853-4886 or book an appointment through our website. We look forward to treating you.
Visit Yeargain Foot & Ankle one of our two locations:
- 3801 Gaston Ave. Suite 330 across the street from the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas
- 1411 N Beckley Ave. Suite 456 Dallas, TX 75203 Pavilion III at Methodist Hospital
Written by Dr. Joseph Yeargain
