Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis in Northern New Jersey

Person sitting on edge of bed and holding foot with pain on soleFoot and heel pain can range from bothersome to severe, depending on the cause. One of the most common causes of foot pain is plantar fasciitis, a condition that involves inflammation and discomfort on the soles of the feet. Bergen Medical Associates is a multi-specialty provider offering comprehensive medical care to patients with plantar fasciitis and other podiatry conditions in northern New Jersey. Learn more about this common condition and plantar fasciitis treatment from the practitioners at Bergen Medical Associates.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes and creating the arch. It helps absorb tension or stress when weight is put on the foot when standing, running, or walking. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this tissue becomes swollen and inflamed, often from being overstretched, overused, or with normal wear and tear.

What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Pain in the soles of feet or heels (dull or sharp)
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Aching or burning in the soles

The pain is often worse in the morning, after standing or sitting for long periods, and after intense activity. Plantar fasciitis pain is also referred to as first-step pain since it is often worse in the morning and improves with light activity. However, it can also worsen with vigorous activity.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is common, with more than 2 million patients being treated for it every year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The exact causes are not known, but certain risk factors can put a person at an increased chance of developing it. These include:

  • Doing strenuous or increased activity (running, dancing, etc.)
  • Having a certain foot structure or shape (flat or high arches)
  • Wearing certain types of shoes (poor arch support or soft soles)
  • Standing on hard surfaces for long periods (nurses, teachers, factory workers)
  • Being between the ages of 40 and 60
  • Being overweight or obese

Having medical conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or a tight Achilles tendon may also increase a person’s risk of plantar fasciitis.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?

When a patient experiences pain in their feet, their doctor will perform a physical exam to determine if the problem is plantar fasciitis or another cause. The doctor will examine the feet for swelling, redness, tenderness, and pain. The arches will also be looked at since flat and high arches can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Sometimes, X-rays are taken to rule out other conditions, such as nerve compression or a stress fracture.

What Are Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis?

Once the cause of a patient’s foot pain is confirmed to be plantar fasciitis, the doctor will typically treat it with non-invasive, non-surgical methods, except in severe cases. These methods may take some time before yielding full results but are often successful at treating plantar fasciitis. Treatment options include:

Orthotics and Splints

One way to help treat plantar fasciitis pain is using splints or orthotics, which are supportive devices to help relieve pain and discomfort in the feet. Wearing splints at night can help stretch the injured fascia and allow it to heal. Wearing orthotic inserts in shoes helps cushion the heels and reduce pain when walking or doing other activities. Orthotics can be custom-made or bought over the counter. These devices may take some time to get used to but often offer relief for people suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Physical Therapy and Stretching

Physical therapy or stretching also can treat plantar fasciitis pain since the condition can be irritated by tight muscles. Stretching the fascia, Achilles tendons, and calves helps strengthen and stabilize them to relieve pain. These exercises can be done alone or under the guidance of a physical therapist. Working with a physical therapist can be helpful for more severe cases because they combine stretching, exercises, massage, and other therapies to facilitate healing.

Medication

Taking painkillers or other medications as prescribed by the doctor is another treatment for plantar fasciitis. These medicines help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling quickly. They are more suitable for patients with acute symptoms rather than chronic plantar fasciitis pain since these medications should not be taken for too long (more than a month).

Lifestyle Modifications

Mild cases of plantar fasciitis are often treated with lifestyle changes. These include:

  • Icing the plantar fascia daily
  • Resting the feet and keeping weight off them
  • Wearing shoes with greater arch support or heel pads
  • Using athletic tape or braces on the foot
  • Modifying activities like walking and running for shorter distances

Sometimes, patients may be told to wear walking boots or casts to allow their feet to rest and heal.

Surgery

Surgery is usually not necessary for treating plantar fasciitis, but it can be an option for people who have not seen improvement after a year of nonsurgical treatment. The surgery is known as a gastrocnemius recession. Its purpose is to lengthen the gastroc tendon, part of the Achilles tendon. It can be performed as a traditional open or endoscopic procedure.

Other treatments that may be an option for more severe plantar fasciitis include shock wave therapy and steroid injections. However, most plantar fasciitis cases will improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment methods.

Contact Bergen Medical Associates for a Podiatry Appointment Today

Patients with plantar fasciitis pain can find customized care from the podiatry specialists at Bergen Medical Associates. Led by Samantha Rosenzweig, DPM, the podiatry department at Bergen Medical Associates offers comprehensive medical care to treat each patient’s problems following a whole-person approach. Bergen Medical Associates has locations throughout northern New Jersey and a trusted reputation for diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Contact us today to learn more about plantar fasciitis treatment options.