Telltale Signs of Plantar Fasciitis
About 2 million men and women in the United States are treated for plantar fasciitis every year, making it one of the most common causes of painful foot symptoms. As commonplace as it is, inflammation of the plantar fascia isn’t the only cause of foot pain. Learning to recognize the symptoms of plantar fasciitis is an important part of making sure you get the right treatment and quick relief.
Our team of experts helps patients relieve chronic foot pain using advanced treatment options. With locations in Evergreen Golden, Granby and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the team at Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center makes it easy and convenient to get treatment for plantar fasciitis and other foot problems.
If you’re suffering from ongoing foot pain, here’s how to tell if plantar fasciitis might be to blame.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes some pretty specific symptoms. In most cases, our team can diagnose the condition based on your symptoms along with a physical evaluation of your foot. The most common symptoms include:
- Sharp pain focused around the bottom of your heel
- Heel pain that’s worse after exercise
- Pain that’s worse when climbing stairs or standing on tiptoe
- Pain that worsens after a period of sitting or inactivity
- Pain that’s more noticeable when you wake up
- Mild swelling around the heel
Sometimes, stretching your foot or crouching on the balls of your feet can cause your pain to worsen, too. Some people experience stiffness in their big toe that’s caused by excess tension on the plantar fascia.
Know your risk
Plantar fasciitis symptoms are fairly characteristic, but you can narrow down the possible causes even more by understanding the risk factors that make plantar fasciitis more likely. While anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, you’re more likely to have it if you:
- Are middle-aged or older
- Are overweight or obese
- Are pregnant
- Have a job that requires a lot of standing
- Have flat feet, a high arch, or a certain gait
- Participate in high-impact activities that place strain on your heels
- Wear non-supportive footwear
During your office visit, our team will examine your feet and review your lifestyle to determine your risk factors, diagnose the cause of your pain, and prescribe the best treatment plan to relieve your painful symptoms.
Plantar fasciitis treatment
Our team can use a number of different approaches to treating plantar fasciitis, including:
- Bracing and splints
- Custom orthotics
- Therapeutic exercises and stretching
- Lifestyle changes
- Corticosteroid medication
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Most patients respond well to these more conservative options. However, in rare instances when these options aren’t effective, Our team may recommend surgery to release tension on the plantar fascia.
You don’t have to live with foot pain
Roughly three-quarters of Americans will have some type of foot problem during their lifetime. If you’re one of them, we can help you find the relief you need. To get started on a custom treatment plan of your own, call the office convenient to you, or schedule an appointment online today.