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Plantar Fasciitis services offered in Henderson, NV
Plantar Fasciitis FAQs
What is plantar fasciitis?
Millions of people suffer from the disabling effects of heel pain, the most common cause of which is plantar fasciitis. This condition results from inflammation affecting the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports the arch.
The plantar fascia is like a tight rubber band that stretches and contracts when you move, absorbing weight and pressure. Repeated strain can cause small tears that build up over time, producing heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis causes a stabbing or throbbing pain in your heel. The pain is typically sharpest in the morning when you first get up, then fades to a dull ache during the day. Plantar fasciitis pain often reappears after physical activity or when you first move after sitting down for a long time.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia comes under excessive strain, which can happen for many reasons. Factors that are likely to increase your risk of plantar fasciitis include:
- Excessive pronation (inward rolling feet)
- Flatfeet
- High arches
- Wearing shoes with no arch support
- Excess body weight
- Frequent running
- Being on your feet for long periods
- Pregnancy
Plantar fasciitis can develop at any age but is more common in people 40-60.
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers podiatrist reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines your foot and ankle. They press on different areas of the foot to locate tenderness and discomfort.
This is often sufficient for a plantar fasciitis diagnosis. However, your provider might want to assess the structures inside your foot using digital imaging like X-rays or a CT scan.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Most people with plantar fasciitis can reduce their heel pain within a few months with proper care. Initial treatments may include:
- Resting and icing your foot
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Night splints
- Orthotic shoe inserts
- Physical therapy
- Stretching exercises
Conservative treatment is successful in 90% of cases. However, if these measures don’t relieve your heel pain, your Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers podiatrist can inject corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory medications) into the inflamed tissue. Your podiatrist can surgically release the taut plantar fascia if nothing else works.
