Plantar Fasciitis
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Powell Orthopedics
Triple Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon located in Fayetteville and Bentonville, AR
When you get out of bed in the morning, are you met with stabbing pain along the bottom of your feet? You’re not alone. In the United States, approximately one million doctor visits a year are dedicated to diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis. If you’re in Fayetteville and Bentonville, Arkansas, make that visit to Powell Orthopedics where Dr. Mark W. Powell has considerable experience treating plantar fasciitis, the condition behind the pain and tenderness. To learn more about your options when it comes to plantar fasciitis, call the office or schedule a visit using the easy online booking tool.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
What is plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is a thick band of taut tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, stretching from your heel to your toes. If this tissue becomes inflamed or irritated, it results in a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis typically makes itself known in one, hard-to-ignore, way — stabbing pain during the first few steps after a long period of inactivity, like when you get up in the morning. The pain usually starts to dissipate as you move around.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Think of your plantar fascia like a tightly wound bow string that supports the arch of your foot. When this group of tendons is stretched or stressed, small tears or strains may result, which cause inflammation that leads to plantar fasciitis.
There are many factors that put you at risk for developing plantar fasciitis, including:
- Age
- Weight
- Activities that put stress on your feet, such as running
- Foot mechanics
- Standing or walking on your feet for long stretches
If you have plantar fasciitis and you don’t seek the help of an orthopedic specialist such as Dr. Powell, there’s a chance other complications may develop. This condition can become a chronic heel pain issue that may lead to bigger problems in your back or hips.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
When it comes to plantar fasciitis, early intervention allows you to treat the problem and find relief from the pain, while avoiding more chronic issues down the road. To start treating your plantar fasciitis, Dr. Powell relies on several effective methods that may include any of the following:
- Physical therapy
- Night splints
- Orthotics
In fact, Dr. Powell designed a clinically-proven splint that’s now patented for use in treating plantar fasciitis.
Should these therapies prove ineffectual, Dr. Powell may suggest:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy to stimulate healing
- Tenex, a minimally-invasive procedure to remove scar tissue
Only in rare cases does Dr. Powell recommend surgery, which is a last resort if other therapies fail to provide you relief.
If you want to jump out of the bed each morning without pain, call Powell Orthopedics, or book an appointment online.
