Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your plantar fascia –– a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from your heel to your toes –– develops small tears as a result of repetitive wear-and-tear. Over time, these tears become inflamed, causing pain, irritation, and general discomfort.

Plantar fasciitis affects people of all ages, races, and sexes, but it’s especially common among active individuals, particularly people who run. You might also develop plantar fasciitis if you’re overweight or you wear shoes that don’t provide adequate support.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis vary from person to person. The common telltale signs include a sharp, stabbing pain near or at the bottom of your heel and pain that occurs first thing in the morning upon waking.

If you have plantar fasciitis, you might also experience pain after long periods of standing or physical activity. Surprisingly, pain caused by plantar fasciitis usually gets worse after exercise, not during it.

Does plantar fasciitis require medical treatment?

If you think you have plantar fasciitis, make an appointment with the team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists as soon as possible. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can cause long-term heel pain that affects your daily routine or ability to perform normal tasks.

Many people with plantar fasciitis change the way they walk. Over time, this increases their risk of foot, knee, back, and hip problems.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your podiatrist carefully examines your foot and ankle. Your podiatrist also checks for areas of tenderness on your foot.

Next, your podiatrist reviews your medical history and asks you questions about your symptoms. If these steps don’t provide enough information, your podiatrist might also order an X-ray or an MRI to rule out other potential causes of heel pain like a stress fracture.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

The team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists offers several treatment options to ease plantar fasciitis pain. Depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition, they could recommend:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Custom orthotics
• Taping
• Physical therapy

If your pain persists or doesn’t improve with conservative care, surgery would be necessary. The team offers minimally invasive surgical options, including treatment of heel spurs.

Don’t let persistent heel pain prevent you from living your best life. Request a plantar fasciitis consultation at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists today by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.