Podiatrists are medical doctors specializing in treating all conditions affecting the foot and ankle. The condition that podiatrists treat most frequently is plantar fasciitis. The disorder is characterized by degeneration and/or inflammation of plantar fascia, the flat, thick band of connective tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes.
You will learn more about plantar fasciitis and how a podiatrist can help you manage the condition as you read through the section below.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
People develop plantar fasciitis primarily when there’s excessive stress on their plantar fascia. This happens mostly due to the following:
- When someone takes part in running, jumping, or long-distance jogging, or performs various forms of high-impact aerobic exercises
- When an individual needs to stand or walk on hard surfaces for prolonged periods (this makes the condition common among retail workers, chefs, teachers, and nurses)
- When people suddenly increase the intensity or frequency of their workout without adequate conditioning or without consulting a professional
You may also develop plantar fasciitis due to a structural defect in your foot and other biomechanical factors.
- The condition is common in people with high arches or flat feet; these individuals face the problem due to abnormal shock and weight distribution across their feet.
- Individuals with tight Achilles tendons and calf muscles often develop plantar fasciitis due to low ankle flexibility, which forces them to put extra pressure on their heel.
- People with overpronation tend to excessively roll their foot inward when running or walking, which increases their risk of having plantar fasciitis.
Other than the above factors, plantar fasciitis can also occur due to excessive body weight and improper footwear. Studies have revealed that age is also a factor influencing the occurrence of the condition. It is more common in individuals above 40.
When Should You Contact a Podiatrist?
If you want to recover quickly, you should book an appointment with a reputable podiatrist the moment you notice the first symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Here are a few changes that indicate the occurrence of this condition:
- An intense and sharp pain upon taking the first step after waking up
- A discomfort around the heels after being at rest for several minutes or hours; it’s common to experience the discomfort after driving, sitting, or resting for a prolonged period
- A burning sensation or feeling of tightness on the foot’s bottom arch
- A stabbing pain that tends to reduce in intensity and eventually go away after walking for a few minutes; the pain flares up after walking for an extended period
- Sensitivity when the heel bone is pressed against the floor or any other hard surface
- Stiffness of the Achilles tendon or sole
If you live in the Bronx or any of its adjacent territories, you should contact Magnet Health the moment you experience one or more of the above symptoms. Magnet Health will connect you to the best podiatrists in the United States and ensure you get the right treatment for your condition promptly.
How Does a Podiatrist Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
Podiatrists work together with physical therapists to prepare an effective treatment plan for patients with plantar fasciitis. Physical therapists offer targeted biomechanical training to improve the patient’s walking pattern or reverse deformities in his/her feet as much as possible.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, patients may need PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or corticosteroid injections. They are instrumental in alleviating the stabbing pain common in patients with plantar fasciitis.
If it’s chronic plantar fasciitis (i.e., if your symptoms bother you for more than six months), your podiatrist may recommend ESWT or extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
Treatment for plantar fasciitis may include surgery, but only in rare cases. If other treatments don’t deliver results after 6 months, your podiatrist may recommend surgical procedures such as partial plantar fascia release. Under certain circumstances, podiatrists wait up to 12 months for non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures to work before going ahead with the surgery.
Final Words
It is good if your podiatrist practises at a trusted multispecialty clinic in your area. This will make coordinating with physical therapists and surgeons when drafting treatment plans easier for him/her.
