ANKLE & FOOT CENTER OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Podiatry located in Tavares, FL
Experts estimate that about 2 million Americans are living with plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that causes inflammation of the heel. Left unmanaged, plantar fasciitis can prevent you from participating in your favorite activities, including running and playing sports. Podiatrist Joanne Balkaran, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and her team at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Tavares, Florida, regularly work with men, women, and families to diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis. If you regularly experience heel pain, request an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a leading cause of both acute (sudden) and chronic (ongoing) heel pain.
The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects your heel to your toes. Every time you walk, run, or climb a set of stairs, your plantar fascia experiences wear-and-tear damage.
Over the years, small tears form in your plantar fascia. If these tears become inflamed, you’ll experience a sharp, stabbing pain that won’t go away.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis vary from person to person. Telltale signs include a sharp pain near the bottom of your heel, heel pain that occurs first thing in the morning, or heel pain that occurs after periods of physical activity. You might also experience arch pain or irritation after long periods of sitting or standing.
Who is at risk of developing plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis affects people of all ages, races, and genders, but there are things that can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis, including:
- Being overweight
- Having heel spurs
- Working on your feet
- Having flat feet or high arches
You’re also more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you’re an athlete or a physically active individual. This is particularly true if you participate in long-distance running, ballet, or aerobic dance.
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida provider physically examines your foot and ankle and reviews your medical history.
During your exam, your doctor checks for areas of tenderness in your foot. By pinpointing the location of your pain, your doctor can determine its underlying cause.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Treatment of plantar fasciitis depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your quality of life. When possible, the doctors recommend integrative, holistic treatments like physical therapy, night splints, and custom orthotics.
If your pain doesn’t go away or doesn’t respond to these treatments, the team could then recommend extracorporeal shockwave therapy, corticosteroid injections, regenerative medicine treatment, or foot and ankle surgery.
Is there any way to prevent plantar fasciitis pain?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to entirely prevent plantar fasciitis pain. There are steps you can take to lower your risk, though, including maintaining a healthy weight, wearing comfortable, supportive shoes, and stretching your arches before and after exercise.
To learn more about treatments for plantar fasciitis, make an appointment at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.