Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of sharp heel pain. At Modern Podiatry, empathetic podiatrists Kibibi Wanzu, DPM, Brittany C. Sumpter, DPM, and Ronderick Williamson, DPM, understand the severity of your plantar fasciitis pain. They offer a range of plantar fasciitis treatments like orthotics, night splints, injections, and minimally invasive surgery in their Hampton and Atlanta, Georgia, offices so you can experience pain-free walking again. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tight connective tissue (the plantar fascia) running along the sole of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. The inflammation causes severe heel pain, which can come and go. 

Plantar fasciitis often triggers the development of bone spurs, little hooks of calcium deposits that show up on the bottom of the heel. 

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a wear-and-tear injury that develops over time. It can affect anyone but some of the most common factors include:  

• Frequent foot-stressing exercise, like distance running
• Standing for hours every day
• Tight Achilles tendon
• High arches
• Flat feet
• Extra body weight

Although you can develop plantar fasciitis at any age, it becomes more common in midlife because the tissues in the feet weaken and lose some elasticity in your 40s and beyond. 

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

The Modern Podiatry team can diagnose plantar fasciitis with a foot exam in most cases. They’ll feel your foot carefully, looking for tender areas, and may ask you to flex your foot and stand on your toes to check how your foot moves and whether you experience discomfort. 

When you report heel pain, plantar fasciitis is usually the first thing the team looks for. However, other conditions like fractures, bone infections, nerve compression, heel fat pad atrophy, and tendonitis can also cause heel pain, so the team may perform X-rays or ultrasound imaging to eliminate other problems.

What is the best treatment plan for plantar fasciitis?

Modern Podiatry often combines nonsurgical treatment methods to help heal your plantar fascia and stop your heel pain. Common treatments include:

• Strapping your plantar fascia
• Splinting to stretch plantar fascia while you sleep
• Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Restorative cell therapy injections
• Custom orthotics
• Exercises to strengthen foot muscles and improve plantar fascia support

With nonsurgical treatments that promote plantar fascia healing and targeted pain relief, up to 95% of people experience complete recovery. 

If you have a particularly stubborn case of plantar fasciitis, the Modern Podiatry team may recommend a minimally invasive surgical treatment. A fasciotomy, which releases the overly tight plantar fascia from the heel bone, is the most common plantar fasciitis procedure.

If sharp heel pain interrupts your day, book your plantar fasciitis evaluation at Modern Podiatry for a prompt diagnosis and pain relief. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.