Have you ever woken up in the morning, get out of bed and had a horrible pain on the bottom of your foot all the way in the back of your heel?  This common foot condition is called Plantar Fasciitis otherwise known as heel pain.   It is a common foot condition that we treat at our office.

Plantar Fasciitis occurs when there is inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot.  This foot condition is common among athletes, but anyone can experience this foot problem and the pain that is associated with it.

How this happens is when the plantar fascia is strained over time.  Each time you take a step causes a stretch of the tissues beyond its normal extension, causing the soft tissue fibers of the fascia to tear or stretch.  This can lead to inflammation, and pain where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone.

The pain is mostly felt sharply at the bottom of the heel.  The bottom of the foot may also ache or burn along the band of the fascia.  This pain is usually worse in the morning when taking the first steps of the day or later in the day if you have been standing or sitting for a prolonged period.   Most people find relief with getting up and stretching, however this provides only temporary relief.   The pain might come back when you resume walking or your regular activities. 

When the pain is so severe that you can hardly walk, visiting a podiatrist is essential in providing an array of treatment options.  A podiatrist will examine the area and if needed diagnostic x-rays might be needed to rule out any problems to the bone.

A common treatment at our office might include oral anti-inflammatory medication and even a cortisone injection to the inflamed area.  Other recommendations might include doing at home stretching exercises, changing shoes, and taping the foot area.  If the patient does not get relief with these recommendations, ordering a pair of custom orthotics for the patient to insert in their shoes.  Custom orthotics are made to the patient’s foot and are created to reduce pressure points on and around your heel, while providing support for the rest of your foot.  A patient is measured for custom orthotics at our office then are sent to a lab to create the orthotics that are both durable and comfortable.  A final recommendation is a prescription for physical therapy. 

If you or someone you know have plantar fasciitis, known as heel pain, and is suffering, please consider making an appointment with Dr. Margaret Withrow or Dr. Dylan Kaumaya at Roadrunner Foot and Ankle in Peoria, Arizona.  We want you pain free and back to your activities.