Is it possible that your heel pain could be due to this inflammatory condition?

You thought you would get up and go for a run but the minute you step out of bed you realize something is terribly wrong with your foot. Pain shoots through your heel and it might even make you jump back in surprise. If this is currently happening to you, you could have plantar fasciitis. What is plantar fasciitis? Our Stamford, CT, podiatrist, Dr. Peter Siroka, is here to tell you.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Did you know the largest ligament in your body lies within your feet? That’s right! The plantar fascia is a ligament that serves to connect the heel bone to the toes and also supports the arches of the foot. If it becomes overused or strained in any way it can lead to microscopic tears, known as plantar fasciitis.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

If you have plantar fasciitis the most common symptom will be heel pain. The pain may even extend all the way to the arches of your foot. As a result, you may notice that your foot is stiff or has limited flexibility. The pain you experience is often worse in the morning and may seem to subside throughout the day. You may not notice pain while working out but the pain will soon come back immediately afterward.

How is it treated?

In most cases, plantar fasciitis can be treated with more conservative at-home treatment options. Of course, if you’ve never had heel pain before you’ll want to turn to our Stamford foot doctor for a proper diagnosis. After all, there are many conditions that could cause heel pain, so it’s important that you are giving your feet the proper treatment it needs to heal. Common ways to treat plantar fasciitis include:

• Resting your feet
• Avoiding high-impact activities
• Taking pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication
• Splinting or bracing the foot (to provide arch support)
• Using custom shoes inserts
• Wearing supportive and properly fitted shoes
• Stretching and strengthening exercises

If symptoms don’t go away after one week or if symptoms are severe then it’s time to give us a call.

If you are dealing with heel pain it’s always a good idea to turn to our Stamford, CT, dental office to find out how to best handle your symptoms. Find out if you are actually dealing with plantar fasciitis or if it is something else.