The arch of your foot and your heel hurt when you get out of bed in the morning. Stretching helps, but through the day, your heel is so sore you just want to sit. This may be plantar fasciitis, a common inflammatory condition. For a definitive diagnosis, see your Columbus podiatrists at Clintonville/Dublin Foot & Ankle Group in Clintonville, Dublin, and Southwest Columbus, OH.
What is plantar fasciitis?
It happens when the connective tissue between the heel bone and the base of the toes becomes overstretched, inflamed and painful. Sometimes, it's associated with a heel spur and sometimes not. But, in most cases, pain originates because of over activity, obesity, or overpronation of the foot and sports such as volleyball, dancing or anything involving repetitive jumping or bouncing.
Your diagnosis
Your podiatrist in Columbus recognizes the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis. When you come to Clintonville/Dublin Foot & Ankle Group, your doctor will examine your foot, watch you walk, ask about your particular symptoms and about what worsens or improves them. He also will take X-rays and other kinds of imaging as needed to rule out other podiatric problems.
When a definitive diagnosis, your podiatrist puts together a comprehensive treatment plan to control your symptoms and increase your mobility. Many times, the simplest interventions work best, and people with plantar fasciitis respond well to treatment within six to eight weeks. In persistent cases, surgery may be needed.
Treating plantar fasciitis
Your podiatrist may recommend these interventions singly or in combination:
- Wrapping or taping the arch of the foot
- Custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics)
- Changing foot wear to shoes with good support in the arches
- Stretching the calf muscles, especially in the morning
- Physical therapy
- Use of a walking boot or crutches for more severe cases
- Simple rest and elevation of the affected foot
- Cortisone injections
- Oral anti-inflammatory medications
- Massage therapy
Feel good and stay active
The doctors at Clintonville/Dublin Foot & Ankle Group help people do just that. Plantar fasciitis is no mystery to them. They can help you manage your symptoms. For a consultation, please call one of our three locations. Call our Clintonville, OH office at (614) 267-8387; (614) 761-1466 in Dublin, OH; (614) 272-2313 for Southwest Columbus, OH.