What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain.    This condition is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present.  Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation or, rarely, a cyst.   Another common cause of heel pain is Achilles tendonitis.  Symptoms include pain along the back of the heel and leg that occur with activities.  This pain occurs when there is too much strain to the Achilles tendon.  Over time, the tendon fibers may stretch or even tear near their insertion onto the heel bone. Active people with tight tendons are at risk for developing this painful inflammation.

Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. A foot and ankle surgeon is able to distinguish between all the possibilities and to determine the underlying source of your heel pain.

Plantar Fasciitis Causes

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot.  

For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.

Wearing nonsupportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet. Obesity and overuse may also contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment for plantar fasciitis depends on the severity of the specific case of the condition.

• Stretching exercises.Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery.
• Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.
• Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation. Place a thin towel between the ice and your heel; do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.
• Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia.  Our podiatrist can fit you with
• Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.

If you still have pain after several weeks, come see our podiatrists att Peoria AZ Foot and Ankle Specialists.  Our foot doctors may add one or more of these treatment approaches:

• Padding, taping and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Taping and strapping help support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia.
• Orthotic devices.   Custom Orthotics that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis.
• Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain.
• Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal.
• Night splint. Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients.
• Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT).

When Is Surgery Needed?

Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to nonsurgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery.  If, after several months of nonsurgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered.   Our foot and ankle surgeon at Peoria AZ Foot and Ankle Specialties will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.

Long-Term Care

No matter what kind of treatment you undergo for plantar fasciitis, the underlying causes that led to this condition may remain.  Therefore, you will need to continue with preventive measures. Wearing supportive shoes, stretching and using custom orthotic devices are the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.