Is your heel so sore you can hardly walk on it? Don't wait. At The Foot and Ankle Centers with locations in Jackson and Brick, our doctors can help. You may have plantar fasciitis, a common overuse injury. Learn more about it and the treatment you need to feel better.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue which stretches across the arch of the foot. Frequently, it affects people who:
- Spend a lot of time on their feet, possibly for their job.
- Run, dance, or play sports like volleyball.
- Carry excess body weight.
- Are between the ages of 40 and 60.
Also, many runners overpronate, which means they roll their feet toward the midline. This repeated motion stretches the plantar fascia beyond what it was designed for. Thus, pain, inflammation, and even heel spurs result.
Treatment for plantar fasciitis
If your heel and arch hurts, particularly in the morning, visit us at one of our locations. We will ask you about your symptoms, feel the arch of your foot, and flex it to pinpoint the painful area. You may need X-rays or an MRI too. With a positive diagnosis, we may recommend:
- Analgesics for pain (over the counter ibuprofen)
- Ice and rest
- Stretching exercises for the calves to be performed every morning
- Shoe inserts for support and gait correction
- Weight loss
- Cortisone injections to relieve inflammation
- Well-supportive shoes (no flip-flops or going barefoot)
- Massage therapy for the bottom of the foot
- Restriction of strenuous, high-impact exercise
For extreme cases, surgery and casting can become necessary to maximize function and relieve pain. Another option is extracorporeal shockwave therapy, an in-office treatment that sends shock waves into the arch to reduce swelling and speed up healing.
Reduce pain, increase function
Plantar fasciitis is painful but very manageable. To learn more and get started on your treatment plan, call The Foot and Ankle Center at one of our two locations. In Brick, at 732 477 0441. In Jackson, at 732 833 2800.