If you spend a lot of time on your feet and notice your heel pain is increasing, you may need treatment for plantar fasciitis. At C&S Foot and Ankle, Camille Christensen, DPM, and Scott Norris, DPM, specialize in nonsurgical solutions to address the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The team personalizes a care plan to your needs and can recommend custom orthotics, stretching exercises, steroid injections, or a minimally invasive surgical procedure for chronic plantar fasciitis using the Tenex ultrasound procedure. Call the office in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, to schedule a plantar fasciitis evaluation or book an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that describes persistent inflammation in the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissues that connects your heel bone to your toes. The tissues absorb the shocks of your movements and support the natural arch of your foot.
Too much stress on the plantar fascia can lead to tears and inflammation in the tissue that causes acute or chronic heel pain.
Your risk for developing plantar fasciitis can increase because of:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Sports and exercise
You might also be more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if your job requires that you stand or walk on hard surfaces for long periods of time.
When should I seek medical attention for plantar fasciitis?
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at C&S Foot and Ankle if you have persistent heel pain that you can’t treat on your own. You also need an appointment if your heel pain limits your ability to walk or be physically active.
The team completes a physical exam of your foot and discusses your symptoms. Based on the results of your exam, the foot specialists create a treatment plan to relieve stress on your feet, ease your heel pain, and prevent more serious complications.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Your treatment plan for plantar fasciitis may initially start with over-the-counter medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
The C&S Foot and Ankle team can refer you for physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia and other soft tissues in your foot. They can also teach you gastrocnemius-soleus complex stretching exercises that you can do at home.
Other treatments for plantar fasciitis include:
Custom orthotics
Custom foot orthotics support your feet and take pressure off the plantar fascia to prevent tissue tears. The team makes custom mold casts in the office that fit your foot’s specifications for the highest level of support.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatories directly into the tissues of your foot to alleviate inflammation and pain when oral medications aren’t working for you.
Tenex procedure
Tenex is a minimally invasive procedure to remove scar tissue from the plantar fascial band. Treatment uses ultrasound technology and high-frequency vibrations to break down built-up scar tissue and improve blood circulation throughout your foot.
Call C&S Foot and Ankle to schedule a consultation for plantar fasciitis heel pain, or book an appointment online today.
