Podiatry & Foot and Ankle Surgery located inSan Francisco, San Rafael, Castro Valley, Pleasanton, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Leandro, & Concord, CA
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain among adults. At Bay Area Foot Care, you can find relief from plantar fasciitis pain. The expert podiatrists understand how plantar fasciitis can wreck your quality of life and has solutions to help you. Bay Area Foot Care has locations in San Rafael, Concord, Castro Valley, Pleasanton, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Carmichael, Sacramento, and San Leandro, California, as well as in the neighborhoods of Lower Pacific Heights, Inner Richmond, NoPa, and the Mission District in San Francisco. Call your nearest office today or use the online booking tool to schedule your visit.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the medical term for inflammation of the plantar fascia located on the soles of your feet. The plantar fascia is made of tight, dense connective tissue and provides support to the arch of your foot.
In many cases, plantar fasciitis only affects one foot though it’s possible to have symptoms on both feet. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
Heel pain
Sharp pain when taking your first steps after getting out of bed in the morning
Sensation of tears or cuts in the soles of your feet
Aching in the arches of your feet
Increased pain after long periods of standing or once you stand up after sitting
If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic issue, and the longer you have it, the longer it can take to heal.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis develops when the soles of your feet stretch to the point that small tears develop in your plantar fascia. These small tears cause inflammation and pain. Different things can lead to overstretching of the plantar fascia, like:
Certain types of exercise, like running, dancing, and jumping activities
Standing on your feet for extended periods of time
Being overweight or gaining weight suddenly
Foot conditions, like flatfoot and high arches
Plantar fasciitis develops most often in adults from ages 40-60, though it can occur sooner or later.
How Can I Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?
Bay Area Foot Care provides specific instructions for you to prevent plantar fasciitis or recover from it once you receive a diagnosis. In most cases, wearing supportive, comfortable footwear and stretching can help prevent plantar fasciitis from developing.
Stretches that focus on your feet and calves are the most important to reduce stress on your plantar fascia. Maintaining a healthy weight and sticking to a regular exercise routine can also help keep your muscles and joints healthy without putting excess pressure on your feet.
How is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?
Treatment for plantar fasciitis focuses on reducing inflammation and allowing the small tears in your plantar fascia to heal. Your provider can recommend:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
Orthotics
Athletic taping, night splints, and braces
For severe cases, your podiatrist offers injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, the Tenex procedure, and surgery to relieve your pain.
Begin healing your plantar fasciitis now by calling Bay Area Foot Care or scheduling a visit online.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?