Find out if your heel pain could be caused by plantar fasciitis.
Are you dealing with heel pain? If so, you may be wondering what’s going on and if you should turn to our Lincoln Park, IL, podiatrist Dr. Warren Levy for care. Dr. Levy and his team see a lot of cases of heel pain, and many of them are caused by plantar fasciitis. Have questions about plantar fasciitis? We have the answers!
What is plantar fasciitis?
Okay, so let’s go ahead and explain to you what this common foot problem actually is. There is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the soles of your feet and connects the heel bone with the toes. It also provides support to the arches of the foot.
This band of tissue is known as the plantar fascia. Unfortunately, certain activities or simple overuse can lead to inflammation and microtears of the fascia, resulting in—you guessed it—plantar fasciitis!
What causes plantar fasciitis?
While placing too much pressure on or overstretching the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis, there are other factors that could put you at an increased risk for heel pain. These risk factors include,
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Wearing worn-out shoes or shoes that don’t provide proper support for certain activities
- Being a runner or athlete
- Being obese
- Standing for long periods of time
- Exercising without stretching and warming-up first
What are the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
You may be dealing with plantar fasciitis if you are experiencing any of these symptoms,
- Severe stabbing pain at the bottom of the foot
- Pain that gets worse after activity
- Heel swelling and stiffness
- Pain that radiates to the arches of the feet
- Pain that lessens with rest
Never dealt with heel pain before? Dealing with any of the symptoms above? If so, it might be best to play it safe and turn to our Lincoln Park, IL, podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. After all, plantar fasciitis is often the cause of heel pain, but it isn’t the only cause.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Most cases of plantar fasciitis will go away with proper rest. Other ways to ease your symptoms include,
- Icing your heel 2-3 times a day
- Stretching your feet, ankles, calves and legs daily
- Taking pain relievers
- Wearing supportive shoes
- Not going barefoot
- Staying off your feet as much as possible
- Elevating the foot while at rest
- Splinting the foot while sleeping to reduce morning pain and stiffness
If you are dealing with heel pain, know that our Lincoln Park, IL, podiatrist Dr. Levy and his team are here to help. To turn to us for treatment, simply call Armitage Podiatry Center at (312) 266-6326.