You wake up one morning, step out of bed and suddenly, there’s a stabbing pain along the bottom of your foot up to your heel! What could this be caused by? Most likely, this is a symptom of plantar fasciitis. Our podiatrist in Woodbridge, VA, explains this common condition below.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes on bottom of the foot (ligaments called the plantar fascia). The plantar fascia supports your entire weight; it acts as a sort of shock absorber when you walk or run. Too much pressure can tear the ligaments. Damage to the plantar fascia will result in stabbing heel pain that is often most painful in the morning and after exercise.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The condition is caused by small tears in the plantar fascia. This can be brought on by overstretching, wearing high heels, or being on your feet a lot. Other risk factors are flat feet, high arches and being overweight, due to an increased amount of pressure being placed on the plantar fascia.
How Is It Treated?
Plantar fasciitis often resolves on its own over the course of a few months. It is important to rest, stretch and ice your foot. NSAIDs like ibuprofen may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Your podiatrist may also advise you to get steroid injections to reduce inflammation further. You should speak to your doctor if your condition worsens or if you notice bruising around the heel.
If the condition persists, your doctor may have you do physical therapy or even shock therapy to encourage blood flow and ease pain. To prevent pain in the future, your podiatrist may recommend custom orthotics to support your foot.
Contact Our Podiatrist in Woodbridge, VA, to Schedule an Appointment!
If you’re experiencing foot or heel pain, contact our friendly office today to schedule an appointment with our podiatrist. You don’t have to live with foot or heel pain - our experienced team is here for you!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact The Podiatry Center, with convenient podiatry offices located near Woodbridge, VA, by calling 301.660.8225 or by clicking here.
