Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition that occurs when the plantar fascia tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. Since this band of tissue connects the heel with the toes, plantar fasciitis can cause severe pain throughout the entire foot. The plantar fascia tissue is supposed to function as a shock absorber, but it can deteriorate when placed under a lot of pressure. The tissue will gradually become stretched and torn over time after getting damaged. Since the condition can create debilitating pain in the feet, it is very important to seek proper treatment.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot. This pain will be the most intense in the heel. The pain will start after you move early in the morning, and it will gradually decrease throughout the day. Standing for long periods of time will only aggravate your symptoms. Frequent runners are the most susceptible to getting this painful foot condition, but it can happen to nearly anyone. Being overweight and regularly wearing shoes without proper support will increase your risk of plantar fasciitis.
The first step of your treatment process is getting an accurate diagnosis of your plantar fasciitis. We can perform a full physical examination during your first appointment. We can exam the foot to determine the cause and location of the tenderness. An X-ray may be performed to help rule out a bone spur, but plantar fasciitis can usually be diagnosed without any imaging tests.
A conservative approach may be used at the start of your treatment. Resting and stretching the foot while taking medication is the most common way to conservatively treat plantar fasciitis. If the conservative treatments do not remove your pain after a few months, then you will have to use a more drastic treatment method.
The good news is there are professional treatment options available. For example, injections of stem cells or PRP can be used to treat cases of plantar fasciitis.
You may feel helpless after dealing with plantar fasciitis for a long time, but all of your problems can be solved with the help of our team at Phoenix Regenerative Medicine in Phoenix, AZ. Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more.
