Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament. Your plantar fascia ligament starts at your calcaneus bone at the back of your heel. It works like a bowstring, extending through your foot to help maintain your foot arch. 

Your plantar fascia absorbs shock from your body weight. But, too much pressure over a long period can lead to tiny tears in the ligament. The tears cause inflammation, which then triggers the heel pain that's the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis. 

Does plantar fasciitis cause heel pain?

Plantar fasciitis is the best-known and most common reason for heel pain, but there are many other possible causes, including Achilles tendonitis and fractures. 

One possible cause of heel pain, heel spurs, frequently occurs at the same time as plantar fasciitis, so it’s hard to know what actually causes your pain. The best way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment at Chicagoland Foot and Ankle. 

One specific sign of plantar fasciitis is particularly sharp heel pain when you take the first steps each morning. This happens because your plantar fascia retracts during the night. 

Stepping on a shortened plantar fascia aggravates the injury again, at least for a while. Heel pain from plantar fasciitis usually dwindles as you walk around because the ligament warms and stretches out. The cycle usually repeats after any time off your feet. 

Who is at risk of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when you strain the plantar fascia. That may occur in many ways, but is most likely if you have the following risk factors or circumstances:

• Very high foot arches
• Flat feet
• Excess weight
• Excessive pronation (inward-rolling feet)
• Standing for extended periods
• Intense athletic training, like distance running
• New athletic activities involving repetitive foot impact
• Tight calf muscles
  
  

These risk factors don’t always mean you develop plantar fasciitis. But, if you’re at risk, it’s especially important to take preventive steps like wearing supportive foot gear, using custom orthotics, and avoiding overtraining. 

What does a plantar fasciitis treatment plan include?

Plantar fasciitis treatment is usually conservative, often including both lifestyle changes and targeted pain relief solutions. 

The Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team may prescribe ice packs along with oral anti-inflammatory medications for mild-to-moderate pain or steroid injections for severe pain. Custom orthotics, night splints, and physical therapy can help with pain while encouraging healing. 

It's quite rare to need plantar fasciitis surgery, but if your pain doesn't improve with conservative care, the team may recommend a procedure called plantar fascia release.

Call Chicagoland Foot and Ankle or click on the online scheduler to book your plantar fasciitis appointment.