The plantar fascia is a strong, rubber band-like piece of tissue that runs from the heel of each foot to the front of the foot and toes. It forms the arch of the foot and keeps the bones together in each foot.
Although the plantar fascia is strong, it sustains injury and inflammation from overuse, which often causes it to stretch past its normal range. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that leads to pain, inflammation, and trouble walking.
If you're dealing with heel pain and plantar fasciitis, Dr. Marque A. Allen and the Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio team provide treatments and tips for relief.
Dr. Allen is a foot and ankle specialist who offers PRP injections, topical CBD products, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy to relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia. It may come on suddenly after an injury or develop over time from overuse.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis vary from person to person and may be worse in the morning after periods of rest. The most common symptom is heel pain, but other signs include:
Plantar fasciitis can affect one or both feet. Its symptoms typically worsen over time and may feel like a burning or aching pain in the arch or heel.
The good news is that plantar fasciitis often disappears independently with lifestyle remedies and activity modifications. However, it may take some time – in some cases, up to a year for it to get 100% better.
The best way to permanently relieve plantar fasciitis is to rest the plantar fascia and use home therapies to reduce pain and inflammation.
If you're living with plantar fasciitis, it may seem like relief will never come – but there are plenty of home therapies and lifestyle changes you can make to get pain relief.
Initially, there are a few options that help take away plantar fasciitis discomfort, and they include:
It's also essential to wear appropriate shoes for your activities to prevent strain on the plantar fascia.
Pick shoes that support the arch of the foot, and avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces. You can also try over-the-counter orthotic shoe inserts to relieve pain and stabilize the affected foot.
Sometimes, home treatment isn't enough to eliminate plantar fasciitis. If you're still experiencing pain and discomfort despite conservative measures, Dr. Allen evaluates your foot to determine the next steps in treatment.
Initially, he provides conservative measures for plantar fasciitis, including a walking boot for immobilization, corticosteroids, and custom orthotics. He also offers topical CBD products for holistic relief from plantar fasciitis.
If other treatments don't help and symptoms persist, Dr. Allen may suggest PRP injections and extracorporeal shockwave therapy for long-term relief. Severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require surgical intervention for symptom relief.
Most people eliminate plantar fasciitis independently with home therapies and professional care. Although it may take a few months, it often resolves, and you can take steps to prevent it from returning.
Call our team today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen for plantar fasciitis. We have two convenient locations in San Antonio, Texas. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
