What is plantar fasciitis?
An inflammatory condition, plantar fasciitis is caused by degenerative irritation of the plantar fascia ligament in your foot. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone and your toes and acts as a shock absorber, working with the surrounding tendons and ligaments to support the arch of your foot.
Plantar fasciitis is most commonly associated with runners, but people of all ages and activity levels may potentially develop the condition.
Obesity and excess body weight increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis as excess pressure may cause an inflammatory response and heel pain and stiffness.
Many people with plantar fasciitis have trouble standing for long periods of time. Plantar warts are sometimes a complication of plantar fasciitis and may occur when excess pressure on the tendon leads to plantar warts growing inwards and forming a callus.
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed with a physical exam where Dr. Giagnacova checks for pain and tenderness in your foot and determines the precise location of your pain. He might ask you to perform certain stretches to test the strength and health of your plantar fascia ligaments.
Dr. Giagnacova performs in-depth consultations and may order X-rays of your foot to identify if a stress fracture or another issue is present and contributing to your symptoms.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Dr. Giagnacova treats plantar fasciitis with at-home methods first, recommending rest, icing the area, and avoiding certain physical activities.
If at-home remedies aren’t successful and your plantar fasciitis persists, Dr. Giagnacova might recommend:
- Night splints
- Custom orthotics
- Heel pads
- Stretches and specialized appropriate exercises
- Oral medications and injections, such as anti-inflammatories and steroids
Dr. Giagnacova views the body as an interconnected harmonious system and might recommend healthy lifestyle changes, including anti-inflammatory nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management to reduce your inflammation and any elevated levels of stress hormones that may be worsening your condition.
For more severe cases of plantar fasciitis, Dr. Giagnacova might recommend surgery. Usually, the surgery is a plantar fascia release where Dr. Giagnacova removes a portion of your plantar fascia ligament from your heel bone.
If you have heel pain or concerns about plantar fasciitis, call Next Step Foot & Ankle in Philadelphia or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.