Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis affects people from all backgrounds, but it’s most common in athletes and other active individuals. At Go Feet in Linwood and Mays Landing, New Jersey, board-certified podiatrist Stuart W. Honick, DPM, PT, specializes in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis with a conservative and minimally invasive approach. Call the nearest Go Feet office today to schedule treatment for plantar fasciitis, or book your appointment online. 

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis causes intense heel pain. It’s an overuse injury that occurs when your plantar fascia –– a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to your toes –– becomes inflamed due to general wear-and-tear. 

Plantar fasciitis pain usually improves with rest and other at-home treatments. But if your symptoms continue or worsen, seeking treatment is essential.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms include:

• Persistent heel pain
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• Stiffness
• Swelling around your heel
• A tight Achilles tendon

Plantar fasciitis pain can occur anytime, but it’s most common in the morning when you get up. 

Who is at risk of plantar fasciitis?

Several factors increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, including:

• Being 40 or older
• Working in a profession that keeps you on your feet
• Running or dancing
• Being overweight

Sometimes, foot mechanics increase the risk of plantar fasciitis. For example, if you have flat feet or high arches, the abnormal weight distribution puts extra pressure on your plantar fascia. 

How does a podiatrist diagnose plantar fasciitis?

Dr. Honick reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if certain activities, like standing for long periods, make it worse.

He examines your heel and ankle, looking for swelling, redness, or bruising. He gently presses the bottom of your heel and the arch of your foot to identify sensitive areas and asks you to walk around to assess your gait. 

If Dr. Honick suspects a different problem, like a bone spur or fracture, he orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI, to get a better look at your bones, joints, and soft tissues.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

At Go Feet, Dr. Honick treats plantar fasciitis using a patient-centered, conservative approach. He might recommend:

• Pain medication
• Physical therapy
• Night splints
• Custom orthotics
• Walking boot, cane, or crutches
• Corticosteroid injections
• Ultrasonic tissue repair
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

If your heel pain continues or worsens, you might be a candidate for surgery. During plantar fasciitis surgery, Dr. Honick uses small surgical instruments to detach the plantar fascia from your heel bone.

Call the nearest Go Feet office today to schedule plantar fasciitis treatment, or book your appointment online.