At Cange Podiatry, one of the most frequent reasons people come to see us is heel pain. There are a few possible sources of heel pain, including stress fractures, arthritis, nerve problems, poorly fitting shoes, over exertion and tendonitis. But, the most common cause is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a long ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes, when it becomes irritated and inflamed, heel pain results.
In addition to heel pain, other signs of plantar fasciitis include:
Arch pain
Pain or burning when you first get up in the morning
Increasing pain over a period of months
Swelling on the bottom of the heel
Getting Relief
The first step to relieving the symptoms of plantar fasciitis is a visit to our Glen Burnie (410-684-5934) or Ellicott City (410-680-8357) office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Darlyne Cange, can examine your heel and foot and make a diagnosis. The foot doctor will also want to get your medical history and may order x-rays or other imaging studies to confirm that your heel pain is being caused by plantar fasciitis and not another condition.
Inflammation of the plantar fascia often occurs in patients who have structural problems involving the arch of the foot. Flat feet or overly high arches can result in excess strain on the plantar fascia. Being overweight and having a job that requires you to spend long hours on your feet can exacerbate the problem.
Fortunately, the podiatrist has several conservative treatment options to bring relief from heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. These include:
Anti-inflammatory medication or injections to reduce pain and swelling
Night splints to keep the plantar fascia stretched while you sleep
Strapping
Physical therapy
Custom orthotics to increase arch support and correct faulty foot alignment
Without treatment, plantar fasciitis will only get worse. Don’t delay. If you are experiencing heel pain, contact us today.