Treating Painful Plantar Fasciitis
Arch problems from plantar fasciitis often go hand in hand with heel pain. The wide band of tissue that spans the bottom of your foot (the plantar fascia) can become stressed, irritated, and inflamed from excessive pressure, leading to severe pain and discomfort that often radiates to the heel area. This common condition is called plantar fasciitis. Since this condition can be tricky to trace and treat, it’s important to get help from a certified podiatrist.
Some possible causes of plantar fasciitis include the following issues:
Inadequate arch support – Your foot doctor can check for pronation problems and determine which arch supports are suitable for your feet.
Being obese – Any extra weight you carry around is multiplied fourfold in your feet and ankles, which increases the stress and pressure on the arches.
Calf muscle shortening – High-heeled shoes can cause all sorts of issues with your feet and ankles and can cause the calf muscles to become shorter. This shortening can cause arch weakening and radiating heel pain as well.
Some of the treatments available for plantar fasciitis include the following:
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (The RICE method for foot and ankle injury treatment).
A wide variety of physical therapy exercises for the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can help improve arch and foot alignment and prevent pain and discomfort.
Always wear properly fitted shoes with the proper arch support to treat existing arch problems and to prevent arch problems from starting in the first place.
See your foot doctor for a proper diagnosis and to determine the actual cause of any heel pain.
Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.