Do you experience a stabbing pain in the heel of your foot when you first wake up in the morning or after you’ve been sitting for a while? You may have plantar fasciitis. Using only the most advanced diagnostic tools, Vito La Puma, DPM, and the experienced team at Healthy Step Podiatry, with an office located in Midtown East and the Financial District of New York City, can help determine if plantar fasciitis is the cause of your foot pain and then provide the most appropriate treatment. For management of all your foot conditions from a team of experts in the field, call the office today or request an appointment online.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis refers to an inflammation of your plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes. Your plantar fascia acts as a type of shock absorber that helps support the arch of your foot. If you put too much stress or pressure on the thick, tight band of tissue, tears may develop, leading to inflammation and pain.
If the thick band of tissue is inflamed, you may feel a stabbing pain at the heel of your foot. The pain is usually worse when you first wake up in the morning or after you’ve been sitting a while. If you work out, you may not experience any discomfort while exercising but may experience the stabbing sensation when you’re done.
You may be at risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you engage in activities that put excess pressure on your plantar fascia, such as running, or if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for long stretches of time. Obesity and age also increase your risk.
What is the method for developing plantar fasciitis?
The podiatric experts at Healthy Step Podiatry use the most advanced tools and techniques, and can determine if you have plantar fasciitis after a comprehensive examination. If needed, diagnostic testing may be recommended to rule out another cause of your pain, such as a pinched nerve or stress fracture.
What treatments can improve my plantar fasciitis?
Your specialist at Healthy Step Podiatry creates an individualized treatment plan for your plantar fasciitis, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Your treatment may include:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories
- Rest and ice
- Night splints to stretch out your calf muscle while you sleep
- Orthotics to provide additional foot support for pain relief
Your specialist may also refer you to physical therapy to develop an exercise program that stretches the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, and strengthens the muscles in your calf. The advanced podiatric practice also offers radial shockwave therapy and radio-frequency therapy to stimulate the healing of the tissue and reduce your pain. In-office cryosurgery is available as a minimally invasive, 15-minute procedure that uses cold therapy directly on your inflamed plantar fascia for pain relief.
If these less conservative measures fail to reduce your pain, your specialist may recommend surgery to remove the scar tissue or the plantar fascia from your heel. Healthy Step Podiatry is a full-service podiatric practice and has a surgical center at the office called New York Podiatry Surgical Suite, PLLC.
Don’t let heel pain keep you from doing what you love. Call Healthy Step Podiatry or schedule an appointment online for an evaluation.