The fascia which is a thick band of tissue found in the foot can become irritated and inflamed which is known as plantar fasciitis. The facia is located in the foot and runs from the toes to your heel. Plantar fasciitis can cause moderate to severe heel pain within the foot, and often becomes worse when you take your first steps in the morning after getting out of bed, or after sitting for long periods of time. Some have noticed that the plantar fasciitis tends to feel better with activity; however, if you spent too much time on your feet it can cause the pain to flare up again.

The fascia is what supports the foot muscles as well as the arch within the feet. When the fascia becomes stretched out too far, you can cause tiny tears within the surface of the fascia, which is when you start to feel pain and inflammation.

Individuals who are at higher risk of feeling plantar fasciitis pain are:

⦁ Females
⦁ 40 to 60 years old
⦁ Overweight to obese
⦁ High arched feet
⦁ Flat feet
⦁ Tense Achilles tendon’s
⦁ Odd walking or feet positions
⦁ Often wear high-heels
⦁ Spend many hours standing
⦁ Shoes are worn out
⦁ Thin soles on shoes

Having a visit to a podiatrist like Dr. Daniel Drapacz, DPM at New York Foot Expert do you have your symptoms of plantar fasciitis reviewed can help you find out the diagnosis and be provided treatment. Our experienced podiatrists what walk-through the common symptoms of plantar fasciitis with you, while checking your feet to find any trigger points, and figure out exactly where you are feeling the most pain. You may be recommended to have an imaging test completed to ensure the pain is not from something else:

⦁ X-rays – often recommended to roll out any fractures or the possibility of arthritis
⦁ MRIs – review any possibility of fractures

Noticeable symptoms of plantar fasciitis include stabbing pains in the bottom of your foot mainly near the heel of the foot. Often the worst pain is felt within the first few steps after waking up in the morning. However, you can also trigger this pain by standing for long periods of time or walking after sitting for long periods of time. Many complain that the pain from plantar fasciitis is often worse after exercise.

Recommended treatment for plantar fasciitis may differ for each patient, do you mean treatments for plantar fasciitis that are noted to be the most effective include:

⦁ Icing for short periods of time – usually 20 minutes on 20 minutes off.
⦁ Night splints – offers to help you stretch your calf and feet while you sleep
⦁ Physical therapy – physical therapist well walk-through stretching techniques with you to teach you how to stretch your facia and Achilles Tendon while still strengthening the leg muscles
⦁ Rest – rest with plantar fasciitis can often worsen the pain, this is why it’s often recommended that “rest” is done in short periods of time.
⦁ Supportive shoes or shoe inserts – with plantar fasciitis podiatrists may recommend supportive shoes or shoe inserts to provide extra cushion for your feet which will help to distribute the pressure more evenly throughout the entire foot.
⦁ Anti-inflammatories – this includes medication like ibuprofen. It is best to talk to your podiatrist about anti-inflammatories to help with pain to get a better recommendation of which ones are best for you, as well as the longevity he will take them for.

You should reach out to our clinic to see a podiatrist if you start having severe pain or swelling near the heel of your foot, you start noticing cannot bend your foot downward, have difficulty rising onto your toes, or even walking normally. If you start noticing you’re having fever with your heel pain, numbness, and/or tingling within the heel of your feet; book an appointment immediately. For more information call us today or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you. We serve patients from Wall Street Financial District NY, Harlem NY, Midtown NY, Lower Manhattan NY, Brooklyn NY, and Yorkville NY.