Plantar Fasciitis of the Foot
Your New Orleans orthopaedic specialists find that plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes and supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and inflamed, causing your heel or the bottom of your foot to hurt when you stand or walk.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps. But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.
If you have foot pain at night, you may have a different problem, such as arthritis, or a nerve problem such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis
Your orthopaedic specialists in New Orleans will check your feet and watch you stand and walk and ask questions about:
- Your past health, including what illnesses or injuries you have had;
- Your symptoms, such as where the pain is and what time of day your foot hurts most;
- How active you are and what types of physical activity you do.
Your orthopaedic surgeon may take an X-ray of your foot if he or she suspects a problem with the bones of your foot, such as a stress fracture.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
No single treatment works best for everyone with plantar fasciitis. But there are many things you can try to help your foot get better:
- Give your feet a rest.
- To reduce pain and swelling, try putting ice on your heel.
- Do toe stretches, calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day, especially when you first get up in the morning.
- Get a new pair of shoes. Pick shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole.
If these treatments do not help, your New Orleans orthopaedic specialists may give you splints to wear at night, shots of steroid medicine in your heel, or other treatments. You probably will not need surgery. Orthopaedic surgeons only suggest it for people who still have pain after trying other treatments for 6 to 12 months.
We want to be your trusted Orthopaedic Specialists of New Orleans. If you are experiencing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis of the foot, please call our office at (504) 897-7877 and a member of our caring staff will be happy to help you.
Thank you for trusting us with your care!