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.

For more information on plantar fasciitis, please contact Dr. Joseph Treadwell and Dr. Christian Davis at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Connecticut in Plainville, Danbury and New Milford, CT. Call (203)-748-2220 to schedule your appointment at the Danbury office, (860)-355-3139 to schedule your appointment at the New Milford office, and (860) 747-2200 to schedule your appointment at the Plainville office today!