Are the first steps you take getting out of bed in the morning sending shooting pains up your heel? Do you have pain in the arch of your foot that’s been increasing over the last few months? Have you noticed swelling on the bottom of your heel? Are running, walking and participating in your daily activities becoming increasingly difficult? If yes, you may have a condition that we see quite often at Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC: plantar fasciitis.
Paths to Pain Relief
In order to find out how to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis the foot doctor needs to find the source of the problem. The plantar fascia is a ligament that stretches all along the bottom of your foot. When it becomes inflamed, pain and discomfort occur. Our podiatrists, Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight or Dr. Marzana Mleczko will want to examine your feet and ankles and also get a complete medical history. If you’ve had a recent podiatric injury, the foot doctor will want the details since sometimes plantar fasciitis develops as the result of a trauma to the foot.
The most frequent cause inflammation to the plantar fascia is a structural malfunction in the foot. Flat feet and overly high arches tend to put strain on the ligament. In these cases, the foot doctor may prescribe an orthotic insert for your shoes that will help properly align the foot and reduce the pressure on the plantar fascia. Other non-invasive treatment options include:
· Physical therapy and stretching exercises
· Night splint to keep the plantar fascia stretched overnight
· Padding to reduce pressure on the inflamed area
· Taping or strapping to give added support to the foot
In addition, the foot doctor will most likely ask you to rest your heel by cutting back on physical activity for a period of time. Icing and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended to reduce pain.
Don’t wait until the heel pain is so bad that you can’t walk or enjoy your normally active life. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms contact our Valley Stream (516-825-4070) or Lake Success (516-327-0074) office as soon as possible for an appointment.