Plantar Fasciitis

What causes plantar fasciitis? 

Your plantar fascia, a fibrous band of connective tissue, supports your arches in your feet. It links your toes to your heel bones. 

As you can imagine, your plantar fascia is designed to withstand tremendous amounts of stress and pressure, while still being able to bounce right back into place.

Over time, this constant stretching and contracting can cause your plantar fascia to wear down and become inflamed. This is known as plantar fasciitis. Your risk of plantar fasciitis increases due to:

• Developing heel spurs
• Being overweight or obese
• Having flat feet or high arches
• Participating in certain sporting activities, like distance running
• Working in a job field where you’re on your feet all day, like teachers

No matter what’s causing your case of plantar fasciitis, this chronic condition isn’t anything you should ignore.

When should I see a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis?

Because plantar fasciitis pain and discomfort can become incredibly debilitating and can lower your quality of life, it’s important to schedule an evaluation at North Star Foot & Ankle Associates anytime you experience pain in your feet. 

The leading podiatry team encourages you to come in for an evaluation if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms in your feet:

• Warmth to the touch
• Arch or heel pain
• Tenderness 
• Swelling 
• Redness

In most cases, plantar fasciitis symptoms are at their peak after long periods of inactivity where your plantar fascia doesn’t get a chance to stretch out. 

This is why plantar fasciitis is typically worse in the morning after you get out of bed, or after you’ve been sitting for several hours. Plantar fasciitis can even flare up after exercising.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

With on-site imaging — like X-rays and ultrasounds — available at North Star Foot & Ankle Associates, your dedicated podiatrist can often diagnose you on the spot. 

Once your podiatrist confirms plantar fasciitis and rules out any related conditions, such as stress fractures, they talk with you about your treatment options, which may include:

• Night splints
• Rest and ice 
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy 
• Shoe modifications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 

In severe cases, if you haven’t experienced relief after 6-12 months, surgery may be the best solution. Plantar fasciitis surgery can involve removing any bone spurs and releasing your plantar fascia to relieve tension. 

No matter which treatment is right for you, the team at North Star Foot & Ankle Associates is dedicated to helping you get relief from foot pain. 

If you suffer from ongoing plantar fasciitis pain, the team at North Star Foot & Ankle Associates can help. Book your plantar fasciitis evaluation online or over the phone today.