Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort from plantar fasciitis, come to Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates today to get treatment. Our team of professionals are here to help you get back to your regular activities. Call today for more information or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pittsburg CA, Antioch CA, Alamo CA, Danville CA, and Oakley CA.
Table of Contents:
What is plantar fasciitis, and what causes it?
What is the best doctor to see for plantar fasciitis?
What is the best therapy for plantar fasciitis?
Should you go to a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis?
Most of the time, we go through our days without giving much thought to our feet. When significant pain strikes your feet with a repetitive strain injury like plantar fasciitis, they can be all you think about and make simple tasks complicated and challenging! If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, our board-certified podiatrists at Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates can provide top-quality treatment to get your feet back to normal!
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation from micro-tears in the plantar fascia ligament that attaches the heel bone to the metatarsal bones at the front of your foot. If you have plantar fasciitis, you likely feel a stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot near your heel, especially with your first steps in the morning. The pain can ease up throughout the day, the more you walk, unless you spend extended periods standing or sitting. The pain may occur during exercise but typically is more noticeable after you have finished exercising.
While sometimes there is no obvious cause of plantar fasciitis, it is usually caused by repetitive strain. As such, it is quite common for dedicated long-distance runners to experience this painful condition at some point. Other risk factors include those between 40 and 60 years old, obesity structural issues with your feet, such as flat feet, high arches, or abnormal gait, and those who work jobs requiring extended hours walking or standing on hard surfaces.
The best doctor to see for plantar fasciitis is a board-certified podiatrist! Here at Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates in Walnut Creek, California, we have two board-certified podiatrists who can provide excellent plantar fasciitis treatment. While a family doctor can help with minor cases of plantar fasciitis, they will usually refer you to a podiatrist, where you can receive expert and specialized treatment.
There is a wide variety of treatment options for plantar fasciitis, which vary in effectiveness from patient-to-patient. As such, it is difficult to say what the best therapy for plantar fasciitis is, as the best treatment option for one person may not be the same for you! However, with the help of an initial consultation with our board-certified podiatrists and you, we can determine with great accuracy which treatment option will most likely help you best! Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include the following:
• Anti-inflammatory agents, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or cortisone injections
• Arch supports and orthotics
• Corticosteroid injections
• Gait analysis and correction
• Iontophoresis
• Night splints
• Physical therapy involving strengthening and stretching exercises, massage, contrast baths, or ultrasonography
• Rest
• Shockwave therapy
• Surgery
It is essential to get proper treatment for plantar fasciitis, as this condition can lead to chronic heel pain if left untreated. In turn, chronic heel pain can alter the way you walk, causing problems with your feet, knee, hip, or back. As such, it is in your best interest to see a podiatrist if you have developed plantar fasciitis!
If you are looking for a plantar fasciitis specialist in Walnut Creek, California, we welcome you to come to Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates! For an appointment, you can schedule one through our website or call us at one of our two Walnut Creek locations during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday.
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