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Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis services offered in Atlantis, Boynton Beach, Wellington and Boca Raton, FL

Heel pain that feels worse when taking your first steps in the morning is a red flag alerting you to plantar fasciitis. If you have heel pain, schedule an appointment right away with the skilled podiatric team at the Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County in Atlantis, Boynton Beach, and Wellington, Florida. Plantar fasciitis causes more damage and pain the longer it goes untreated. Call the nearest office today or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment and get relief from your heel pain.

Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition caused by the band of connective tissue in the bottom of your foot becoming inflamed. The tissue, called the plantar fascia, starts at your heel, runs along the sole of your foot, and divides into five narrow bands that connect to each toe. Every time you take a step, the plantar fascia absorbs shock and supports the arch.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia endures extreme daily stress that gradually damages and inflames the tissues. Problems leading to plantar fasciitis include:

  • Having flat feet or high arches
  • Having tight calf muscles
  • Having a tight Achilles tendon
  • Increasing your activity level
  • Standing for a long time
  • Engaging in high-impact activities (running, jumping, dancing)
  • Wearing shoes without arch support
  • Rolling your ankle inward when walking (overpronation)

Without treatment, inflammation weakens the tissues, causing a small tear that gradually enlarges.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis primarily causes sharp heel pain, but you can also feel the pain in your arch. The pain is worse when taking your first steps in the morning, then improves as you walk. 

You might expect the pain to intensify when exercising. But plantar fasciitis tends to cause increasing pain after exercising.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Treatment for plantar fasciitis begins with conservative therapies that give the tissues time to heal. When creating your personalized treatment plan, your provider could recommend one or more of the following: 

  • Avoiding high-impact activities
  • Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Immobilizing your foot
  • Using athletic tape
  • Using night splints
  • Wearing orthotics (support shoes or heel pads)
  • Getting steroid injections
  • Performing stretching exercises
  • Getting a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection

Plantar fasciitis typically improves with nonsurgical treatment. But if your pain and inflammation persist, your provider could recommend surgery.

A minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic plantar fascia release eases your pain by carefully cutting sections of the plantar fascia. After your surgery, you wear a surgical shoe, splint, or cast while the tissues heal.

Don’t wait for heel pain to get so bad you struggle to walk. Call the Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County today or connect online to request an appointment.