There’s Good and Bad News About Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is better known as heel pain – sometimes debilitating heel pain. Patients often tell us similar stories: They have stabbing pain in their heels and arches when they wake up and take their first steps of the day. The pain eases after they walk a bit. Wearing shoes makes the heel feel better. And, when they get up to walk after a period of rest – say, sitting on the couch reading a book or watching TV – the heel pain returns.
The good news is that these symptoms are all typical and very treatable. After a complete examination of your feet, board-certified podiatrist Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM, would likely recommend some combination of the following conservative treatments:
- Rest. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a thick ligament on the bottom of your foot. Staying off your feet gives the inflammation time to heal.
- Anti-inflammatory medications. These can be either over-the-counter or by prescription.
- Plantar fascia massage. One very effective way to soothe inflammation of the plantar fascia is to massage it by rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle.
- Stretching exercises.
- Switching to more supportive shoes.
The bad news about heel pain? It’s probably going to get worse if you don’t treat it. When you change your gait to avoid foot pain, you can develop ankle, knee, hip, or back problems. What’s more, if you continue to walk, run, or play sports through the pain, you run the risk of doing permanent, irreversible damage to your plantar fascia. Finally, if you spend a lot of time walking around with severe heel pain, you’re probably walking differently.
We hope to resolve your plantar fasciitis pain with conservative treatments. But, if necessary, surgery to repair the damaged plantar fascia may be an option. For expert, caring treatment for plantar fasciitis pain, schedule an appointment at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center in Fairfax County, Virginia. Call our Centreville office at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online.
