Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches-either overly flat feet or high-arched feet-are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.
Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when a person’s job requires long hours on their feet. Obesity also contributes to plantar fasciitis.
How It's Diagnosed
To arrive at a diagnosis, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this process the surgeon rules out all the possible causes for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis.
In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays, a bone scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome.
Treatment Options- Conservative or Surgical Treatment for Heel Pain
Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies, which you can begin at home.
Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of non-surgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered. Your foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.
-
Laser Therapy for Foot Pain
Laser therapy is a safe, effective, and painless treatment option for foot and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and other common problems. The laser uses lightwaves to trigger the body into a healing state, This means more blood flow and oxygen reach the pain or injured area. This can speed up the healing process and eliminate pain.
-
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is used to eliminate inflammation and pain. It encourages healing to injured or painful areas of the foot or ankle.
-
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are used to correct the position of the foot. This decreases pain and allows the body to function in a healthy position.
Long-Term Care
No matter what kind of treatment you undergo for plantar fasciitis, the underlying causes that led to this condition may remain. Therefore, you will need to continue with preventive measures. If you are overweight, it is important to reach and maintain an ideal weight. For all patients, wearing supportive shoes and using custom orthotic devices are the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.