Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an irritating condition that causes chronic heel pain. It occurs when your plantar fascia –– a band of tissue that runs from your heel to your toes –– develops small tears because of daily activities like walking. Over time, these tears become inflamed, causing a sharp, shooting pain.

Without treatment, plantar fasciitis pain may become chronic. Don’t let it get to that point. Request a same-day appointment at Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center today.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain at the back or bottom of your heel. You might notice that your symptoms are worse in the morning, just after waking up, or after long periods of sitting or lying down.

Who is at risk of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis affects people of all genders and races, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being middle-aged or older
• Being overweight
• Having flat feet or another foot abnormality
• Working a job that requires you to stand up or stay on your feet

You’re also more likely to experience plantar fasciitis if you do certain types of high-impact exercise like running or dancing.

Does plantar fasciitis increase the risk of other issues?

Without diagnosis and treatment, plantar fasciitis may affect your gait or posture. Over time, these changes can increase your risk of hip, back, or leg problems. If you have chronic heel pain and it affects your ability to work, exercise, or do other routine activities, professional treatment can help.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your provider at Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center asks about your symptoms, including when they started, where the pain occurs, and if any activities make it worse.

Next, they carefully examine your foot. Your provider gently presses on your heel to see where the pain occurs and determine its severity. They might also have you walk around the exam room or do a series of easy exercises to check your foot’s strength and range of motion.

If your provider suspects your symptoms stem from another issue, like a fracture or a bone spur, they might also order X-rays.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center uses conservative, minimally invasive treatments to manage plantar fasciitis and heel pain whenever possible. After a comprehensive exam, your provider might recommend:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Corticosteroid injections
• Amniofix injections
• Treatment with the foot pain laser
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

If conservative treatments don’t provide significant relief or your symptoms worsen, you might benefit from surgery. During surgery for plantar fasciitis, your provider uses special tools to detach your plantar fascia from your heel bone.

If you regularly experience heel pain, request a plantar fasciitis consultation at Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.

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