Our Detroit office has moved to 4160 John R Street, Suite 1011, DMC Harper Professional Bldg., 10th Floor, Detroit, MI 48201

Plantar Fasciitis

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis Specialist in the Wayne County, MI: Detroit (Hamtramck, River Rouge, Dearborn, Melvindale, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Redford Charter Twp)

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that particularly causes a great deal of pain in the heel area. Some patients have described the pain as stabbing and is typically felt in the morning, when first getting out of bed. You may also experience pain with this condition if you stand or sit for long periods of time throughout the day. The development of plantar fasciitis is quite common among runners, those who are overweight, and those who do get enough support from their footwear.

When small tears occur on the fascia, it may become inflamed, especially if too much pressure is put on the tissue. It’s extremely important that you seek professional help as soon as you feel any type of foot pain. If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, there’s a high chance you may develop chronic heel pain. You may also develop other issues connected with your foot, knee, hip, or back, all due to the body walking differently to relieve pain felt from plantar fasciitis.

How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Despite the common causes of plantar fasciitis, there are many different treatment options. For less severe cases, conservative home remedies such as taking anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain, applying ice packs to the bottom of your foot and heel, slowly stretching and exercising your feet to re-strengthen the tissue, and using orthotic devices to overcome issues such as over-pronation are all ways to help manage your plantar fasciitis.

For more severe cases however, there are still things that can be done. Shockwave therapy has become a common solution for plantar fasciitis because it effectively breaks up the tissue on the bottom of your foot via sound waves which facilitates healing and regeneration, allowing you to overcome the chronic pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Even if this doesn’t work, surgery is always a final option. Surgery on the tissue itself can be done to permanently correct the issue and stop the inflammation and pain in your heels.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis depends on the severity of the specific case of the condition. Ice massage applications may be used to reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is often used to treat plantar fasciitis, and this may include stretching exercises. Another treatment option is anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen.

For more information about plantar fasciitis, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to discuss a treatment plan.

Plantar Fasciitis (FAQs)

What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury in which the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. The inflammation is a natural, but often painful, response to small tears along the plantar fascia.  
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis? 
The hallmark symptoms of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The pain may be localized to the bottom of the heel, or it may affect the entire heel and even the arch of the foot. The pain may be dull, sharp, burning, or aching. It is usually at its worst upon first arising in the morning or when taking your first few steps after a long rest. Pain usually goes away during physical activity, but comes back afterwards. The heel may also be swollen and stiff, and the Achilles tendon may feel tight. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis symptoms can become chronic. 
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive overuse from running or other sports activities, or from wearing shoes that do not fit properly. People who have flat feet or high arches, are overweight or obese, work or exercise on hard surfaces, or stand for prolonged periods of time are at an increased risk of sustaining this injury. 
How do you treat plantar fasciitis? 
Plantar fasciitis is initially treated through conservative measures. These may include resting and icing the affected foot, doing stretching exercises, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, and taking over the counter medications to ease pain. If these treatments fail, the next steps may include padding, taping, or strapping the affected foot to support it and reduce strain on the plantar fascia, corticosteroid injections into the foot to relieve pain, or immobilizing the foot while it heals. In a small percentage of people, plantar fasciitis does not respond to conservative treatments and requires surgical intervention. 
Can you still exercise if you have plantar fasciitis? 
You can still exercise if you have plantar fasciitis. In fact, exercise is encouraged. However, you should choose activities that don’t strain the plantar fascia. These may include low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or yoga, and special foot stretches to strengthen your plantar fascia and aid your recovery. 

Connect With Us

Advanced Podiatric Procedures & Services in the Lucas County, OH: Toledo (Ottawa Hills, Silica, Holland, Shoreland, Oregon, Harbor View, Maumee) and Wayne County, MI: Detroit (Hamtramck, River Rouge, Dearborn, Melvindale, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Redford Charter Twp) and Wood County, OH: Rossford, Northwood, Walbridge areas