Your feet provide the basis for your ability to carry out numerous physical functions. This heavy responsibility often leaves the components comprising said structures vulnerable to various ailments. Among the more common foot injuries experienced by Plano TX residents is plantar fasciitis.
Overview
The condition occurs when the plantar fascia, a large, thick collection of tissue connecting your heel and toe bones grows inflamed.
Causes
Currently researchers cannot pinpoint a specific underlying cause. However, healthcare providers maintain that the problem often results from repeated or intense strain on the heel. Ergo, athletes like runners are more susceptible to plantar fascia damage.
That said, your risk also increases if you partake in any action capable of overstretching your heel tissues. Common endeavors, include ballet dancing, aerobic exercises, and professions requiring prolonged durations of standing, including teaching, surgical specialty, and factory and construction working.
Risk Factors
Additionally, your risk increases if you are over age 40, have another problematic foot condition, such as flat feet or arch issues, or are overweight or obese.
Physical Manifestations
The most notable plantar fasciitis symptom is foot pain. Oftentimes, this aching presents as a stabbing, knifing sensation in the heel area. In many instances, the discomfort is at its worst in the morning upon awakening. However, activities like walking or stretching often exacerbate the throbbing.
Other symptoms might include redness and swelling in the tissues surrounding your heel. In the most severe cases, foot pain could become so pronounced that mobility is difficult.
Complications
When left unchecked, plantar fasciitis could result in chronic, agonizing heel pain inhibiting your capacity to perform routine activities. Moreover, many doctors opine that stricken subjects often adjust their walking style to ease associated discomfort. That said, such efforts might precipitate pain and injury to other bodily features, such as your legs, knees, hips, and back.
Diagnosis
Typically, diagnosis is a relatively straightforward process. Your doctor is usually able to confirm diagnosis after performing basic visual examination of your heel.
However, said medical professional might order diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, abbreviated as MRI scans, to rule out other concerns, such as stress fractures, ankle issues, or bone spurs.
Treatment Options
In an appreciable number of cases, full recovery occurs within several months simply by engaging in basic therapeutic efforts, like remaining off your feet as much as humanly possible, applying ice to the afflicted heel, and performing light stretches geared towards ensuring you maintain adequate strength and mobility.
If you experience significant pain, over-the-counter pain relievers might ease said aching.
Moreover, your doctor might prescribe the usage of orthotics. These objects are heel-supporting cushions placed inside your shoes.
Night splints might also yield positive results. These devices help stretch your foot’s arches while you sleep. Said action is thought to strengthen the region.
The most severe cases might require surgery or other medical procedures. Such interventions, include ultrasonic tissue repair, shock wave therapy, plasma injections, and an operation where your plantar fascia is detached from the heel bone.
Contacting Us
If you have been diagnosed with or are witnessing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, please reach out to us. Our Plano TX medical facility is staffed by 11 board certified specialists possessing extensive experience addressing countless cases.
We look forward to creating a treatment plan designed to help you quickly overcome this nagging and sometimes debilitating issue. Please visit http://posmc.com/ for further information about the Plano Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center.
Call POSMC today!
To schedule an appointment with one our specialists, contact our scheduling department at 972-250-5700 or request an appointment online.
POSMC is a full-service medical facility specializing in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. The practice is led by a group of 12 board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Contact us today!