Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. It can make walking painful and, without treatment, become chronic and difficult to resolve. The podiatric team at Podiatry Institute of the South offers a variety of treatments to help you overcome the heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis so you can stand, walk, and exercise without pain. Call one of the offices in Senatobia, Mississippi, West Memphis, Arkansas, or Memphis, Millington, or Bartlett, Tennessee, to set up an appointment or use this website to book online. 

Does plantar fasciitis cause heel pain?

Severe pain on the bottom of your foot is often a sign of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick band of ligaments that can become damaged when overused or stressed. This results in inflammation and swelling, which makes it painful to stand and walk. The exact cause of plantar fasciitis isn’t always known, but it can stem from:

• Having tight calf muscles
• Having a tight Achilles tendon
• Rolling your feet inward while walking (over pronation)
• Being overweight
• Having high arches or flat feet

The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually most acute when you first step out of bed in the morning. It may ease somewhat during the day, only to worsen the next day.

How do you diagnose plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is pretty easy to diagnose based on your symptoms. Your podiatrist may get an X-ray of your foot early to rule out any stress fractures. During your comprehensive exam, your provider puts you through a series of tests, including watching you walk or stand. They’ll also want to know what makes your pain worse, or better, and if your pain is more agonizing at a certain time of day. 

How can I get relief from plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can be treated with success, but how long it takes for you to get relief depends on your particular case. For mild cases, rest and relaxation may be enough to allow the inflammation to heal. The team at Podiatry Institute of the South can also teach you some stretching exercises that you can do throughout the day to minimize your plantar fasciitis pain.

Many patients get relief from plantar fasciitis by wearing custom orthotics for their shoes. Ask your provider about how a custom design can better support your foot and ease tension on the ligaments causing your pain. 

Persistent cases of plantar fasciitis may need more involved interventions like night splints or steroid injections in the heel. 

If you don’t get relief after about 6-12 months of trying conservative treatments, your podiatrist might recommend surgery to fix the ligaments in your foot, but this is always an absolute last resort.

If you’re struggling with heel pain and think it might be plantar fasciitis, visit the Podiatry Institute of the South for treatment. Call one of the offices today or use the online tool to schedule your appointment.