Anyone with foot pain can benefit from visiting a specialist, but if you have continuing or recurring foot pain, it’s especially important to seek treatment since you may have an underlying issue.
At AllCare Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Michael Tran and his staff work to lessen your pain as much as possible. We know just how vital healthy feet and ankles are for handling day-to-day activities and enjoying an active lifestyle.
Since plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain, we want you to understand what it is, how it feels, and what you can do about it.
A thick band of tissue runs from the base of your toes to your heel, and it cushions and supports your arch. It’s called the plantar fascia. Think of it as a shock absorber, and it allows you to stand, walk, and run without pain.
As you might imagine, your plantar fascia takes a lot of abuse, and over time, it can grow irritated or inflamed. When that happens, you have plantar fasciitis.
Most cases of heel pain turn out to be plantar fasciitis, and many patients describe their discomfort as a “stabbing pain.” It’s most often worse when you take your first few steps in the morning, and it improves as your day goes on.
Plantar fasciitis pain often comes and goes, which may lead you to think it’s not a serious problem. Without treatment, however, it gets worse. The sooner you see a specialist, the sooner you can find relief.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Sometimes the irritation and inflammation extend to the nerves in your foot. When that happens, you may have pain that shoots up into your ankle. You can find yourself avoiding putting weight on your foot, perhaps leading in turn to back pain.
Some people have a greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis. You can’t do anything about some of these risks, such as your age. Another risk you can’t change is your foot type. If you have flat feet or high arches, you have a higher chance of suffering from plantar fasciitis.
You can lower so-called modifiable risks, however. For example, being overweight can make it more likely you’ll develop plantar fasciitis, so reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can help.
If you’re on your feet at your job, it can raise your risk of plantar fasciitis — sometimes that’s a modifiable risk and sometimes it’s not.
Your choice of physical activities can also impact your chance of developing plantar fasciitis. Long-distance running can irritate your plantar fascia, for instance. You may want to consider low-impact exercises to protect your feet.
The best results for people with plantar fasciitis come with a comprehensive approach to addressing your pain while also reducing inflammation and promoting healing. You may need to avoid activities that make it worse for a time so your plantar fascia can heal.
Rest may not be enough, though. Dr. Tran may recommend stretching and strengthening exercises. Specific and targeted stretches can ease the tension on the tissue, and strengthening the muscles in your foot and ankle can help provide extra support.
You may also benefit from orthotic devices, which can distribute pressure evenly across your foot. Some patients get relief from therapeutic injections that reduce inflammation and encourage healing.
If you’re dealing with foot pain, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment at the Arlington or Dallas, Texas, offices of AllCare Foot & Ankle Center today by calling or booking online.
