Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options

Foot pain can be an irritating and painful experience, especially when it begins affecting your daily activities or causing trouble walking. However, many cases of foot pain come from an underlying condition called plantar fasciitis, which, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, doctors treat about two million cases of a year. Learn more about diagnosing and treating this condition with Foot and Ankle Specialists of Connecticut with locations in Plainville, Danbury and New Milford, CT.

What is plantar fasciitis? 
The plantar fascia is the fibrous band of tissue which runs from the toes to the heel of the foot, supporting your foot’s arch. When a person develops plantar fasciitis, the area around the heel of the foot becomes painful, inflamed and stiff. Many cases of plantar fasciitis have no specific cause though some come from injury, overuse, obesity or too-high arches. Plantar fasciitis often occurs alongside heel spurs, but heel spurs do not cause plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis patients often notice their pain while taking their first steps after waking up for the day.

Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis 
Diagnosing plantar fasciitis often begins with weeding out other potential underlying conditions which could cause your foot pain. Your doctor will use a physical examination and x-rays or, less commonly, ultrasound or an MRI to determine if your pain comes from plantar fasciitis. After making a plantar fasciitis diagnosis, your doctor will begin exploring the best treatment plan for you and your foot.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatments in Plainville, Danbury and Milford, CT
Your doctor will probably begin treatment with simple at-home remedies like resting and icing the foot. Physical therapy exercises to help strengthen the foot and increase its flexibility also help to decrease the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Cortisone injections, prescription orthotics worn inside the shoes and night splints are also common treatments. In severe cases, a surgical procedure can loosen the plantar fascia to help treat the issue.

To find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel pain, call Drs. Joseph Treadwell and Dr. Christian Davis at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut. You can reach them in Danbury, CT, by calling (203) 748-2220 or in Plainville, CT, by calling (860) 747-2200, so call today.

At Foot and Ankle Specialist of Connecticut we proudly serve patients from our Plainville office and surrounding communities including Bristol, Farmington, New Britain, Southington and throughout Hartford County, CT.  Whether you need same-day treatment for ingrown toenails or heel pain, or foot surgery for painful bunions and hammertoes, our experienced team is here to provide high-quality foot and ankle care close to home.