Have you been struggling with heel pain lately? You may be dealing with a condition known as plantar fasciitis. One of the most common podiatric issues seen here at Cascade Foot Center, plantar fasciitis can cause heel pain so acute that it makes everyday activities overly difficult to perform. Fortunately, here at our office in Salem, OR, Drs. James Lisle, Lee Poston, and Trevor Tippets provide patients with the help they need to regain their lives from heel pain—read on to learn more!
Do You Have Plantar Fasciitis?
To understand more about heel pain from your foot doctor, you first need to know more about foot anatomy.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue extending through the bottom of your foot in order to connect your heel bone to your toes. When that band of tissue becomes inflamed, people feel a stabbing pain, especially in the morning. This makes it difficult to step on your foot, let alone go on with your daily activities.
By visiting our Salem office, our foot doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis through X-ray imaging, taking an MRI scan, and by checking:
- Reflexes
- Muscle tone
- Sense of touch and sight
- Coordination
- Balance
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including:
- People who are obese or overweight run the risk of experiencing plantar fasciitis because of increased pressure on plantar fascia ligaments.
- Pregnant women are at risk as well, especially later in the pregnancy, for the same reason.
- Long-distance runners or anyone with an active job that requires long hours on their feet
- Structural foot problems like high arches, flat feet, and tight Achilles tendons.
Fortunately, treating heel pain can be very simple. Make sure to wear properly fitting shoes, ice your heels four times a day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and use anti-inflammatory medication to ease pain and reduce swelling.
Your doctor may also use any of the following to help treat the issue:
- Physical therapy
- Night splints
- Orthotics
- Surgical procedures
- Injections
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Need Treatment? Give Us a Call
If you have any questions about heel pain, make sure to contact your Salem, OR, foot doctor today at (503) 588-8188.