If you feel you’ve been on your feet too much and you have the heel pain to show for it, you’re not alone. One in ten Americans reports the same condition and the diagnosis is usually plantar fasciitis brought on by overuse. Because you depend on your feet, heel pain can bring daily living to a fast halt.
While plantar fasciitis often responds well to home treatment, it’s not always possible to cut out the parts of your life that cause heel pain in the first place. When you can’t get on top of your foot problems, contact Errol Gindi, DPM. As a plantar fasciitis specialist, Dr. Gindi can determine the best treatment for your heel pain, no matter what the cause or severity of your condition.
When the stabbing pain at the bottom of your heel hits, it's pretty obvious something is wrong. For most people with plantar fasciitis, the pain is at its worst in the first few steps in the morning. But you may also feel it through the day when you get up from a seated position, or if you’ve been standing for an extended time.
You probably won’t feel heel pain from plantar fasciitis while you exercise, but it usually gets worse after your workout.
The arch of your foot works like an archery bow, with the tough tissue of the plantar fascia representing the “string” running between the heel and the ball of your foot.
Overuse causes micro-tears in the fascia tissue, leading to irritation and inflammation, the sources of plantar fasciitis pain. Sometimes, though, the root cause of the pain remains uncertain.
There are several risk factors that could contribute to your heel pain, including:
There are many ways to approach plantar fasciitis heel pain. The good news is, most people recover in months with home care or with conservative treatments with Dr. Gindi.
At the first signs of plantar fasciitis, a combination of rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications often brings pain under control. Combined with icing the heel, this may be all the treatment you need. Next-level treatment may include orthotics, shoe inserts that cushion your heel and support your arch. Supportive footwear can also make a difference.
Dr. Gindi may also recommend physical therapy at this point, to strengthen muscles that help take the strain off your heel and ankle. Ultrasound and corticosteroid injections are other possible treatments. Surgical solutions are the last resort measure. Dr. Gindi specializes in minimally invasive, in-office procedures that often provide near-instant relief.
Contact Dr. Gindi’s Valley Stream office by phone or use the convenient online tool to arrange your consultation. Don’t let the pain of plantar fasciitis dominate your days. Book your appointment today.
