You wake up one morning, step out of bed and suddenly, there’s a stabbing pain along the bottom of your foot up to your heel! What could this be caused by? Most likely, this is a symptom of plantar fasciitis. Our podiatrist explains plantar fasciitis in Flagstaff, AZ, below.

#1: What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes on the bottom of the foot (ligaments called the plantar fascia). The plantar fascia supports your entire weight; it acts as a sort of shock absorber when you walk or run. Too much pressure can tear the ligaments. Damage to the plantar fascia will result in stabbing heel pain that is often most painful in the morning and after exercise.

#2: Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

The condition is caused by small tears in the plantar fascia. This can be brought on by overstretching, wearing high heels, or being on your feet a lot. Other risk factors are flat feet, high arches, and being overweight, due to an increased amount of pressure being placed on the plantar fascia.

#3: How Is it Treated?

Plantar fasciitis often resolves on its own over the course of a few months. It is important to rest, stretch, and ice your foot. NSAIDs like ibuprofen may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Our podiatrist may also advise you to get steroid injections to reduce inflammation further. You should contact our office if your condition worsens or you notice bruising around the heel.

If the condition persists, our podiatrist may have you do physical therapy or even shock therapy to encourage blood flow and ease the pain. To prevent pain in the future, our podiatrist may recommend custom orthotics to support your foot.

Learn More About Common Foot Issues in Flagstaff, AZ – Contact Us Today!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other podiatry topics, feel free to contact Flagstaff Foot Doctors by clicking here or by calling 928-774-4825.