Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot and ankle conditions treated at Piedmont and affects more than 2 million people in America each year.

Because the primary symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain, it is sometimes referred to as "heel pain syndrome". Most patients report the pain is most intense when getting up out of bed first thing in the morning or when standing up after sitting for a long period of time. The pain may also be felt directly in the plantar fascia (the band of muscle between the heel of your foot and the balls of your feet that supports your arch).

Plantar fasciitis, which is caused by over-stretching or over-using of the plantar fascia muscle, can occur acutely due to an injury or gradually over time from stress on the plantar fascia muscle. Improper footwear and prolonged periods of standing can exacerbate plantar fasciitis over time. Footwear that allows for excessive pronation or under-pronation can cause or worsen plantar fasciitis. Some patients also develop plantar fasciitis as a result of over-compensating their posture or gait due to another injury. Plantar fasciitis can also be common in runners and athletes who change their workout regime too quickly or do not stretch properly.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis are treated with conservative methods, such as rest, icing, physical therapy to strengthen complementary muscles, properly-fitted footwear, orthotics or inserts, weight loss, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Most will improve within just six months, a year at most. Corticosteroid injections may also be used in some cases. In rare cases in which conservative methods have failed, surgery may be recommended to treat plantar fasciitis. 
 

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