Step into Relief: All You Need to Know About Plantar Fasciitis and How to Cure It

Are you tired of limping around with heel discomfort with every step? Do your first steps out of bed feel like a stab in the foot? If so, you may have plantar fasciitis, a prevalent illness that affects millions of individuals throughout the world. Plantar fasciitis is an annoying and upsetting condition that causes a lot of pain and discomfort and can make it hard to do normal things.

There are numerous ways to treat and manage plantar fasciitis, and in this blog, we will answer all of your plantar fasciitis questions and provide you with practical advice and strategies to help you cure it. Continue reading if you're ready to say goodbye to heel discomfort and get back on your feet!

What is the most common foot pain?

Plantar fasciitis, which causes pain in the bottom of the heel and the arch of the foot, is the most common cause of foot pain. Heel spurs, metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot), and Morton's neuroma are some other common foot pains. (pain in the forefoot).

How did my plantar pain start?

Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by overuse and repeated stress on the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes and supports the arch of your foot. This thick band of tissue is called the plantar fascia.

Some things that can make you more likely to get heel fasciitis are:

• Flat or high-arched feet
• Obesity
• Age (it is more common in middle-aged people)
• Running or jumping sports
• Calves that are tight
• Poorly made shoes
• Increase in physical exercise all of a sudden
• Wearing shoes with bad arch support or overusing your feet by running, standing for long periods, or carrying heavy loads can put extra stress on the plantar fascia and cause inflammation and pain.

When in the day does plantar fasciitis hurt the most?

Plantar fasciitis often hurts the most when you first get up in the morning or after you've been sitting for a while because the fascia gets tighter when you're not moving around. When you stand up and start to move, the fascia spreads, which can be painful. As the fascia continues to be stretched, pain may also get worse after long periods of standing or activity.

How can I stop the pain I feel in the morning from plantar fasciitis?

Here are some things you can do in the morning to help ease the pain of heel fasciitis:

• Stretching: Before you get out of bed, slowly stretch your calf muscles and the bottom of your foot. You can do this by pulling your toes toward you with a towel or rope.
• Ice: For about 15 minutes, put an ice pack on your heel to reduce swelling and pain.
• Splint: Use a night splint to keep your foot in a neutral position and stretch the muscles while you sleep. Or, wear a plantar fasciitis patch or put orthotics in your shoes to help support your foot.
• Painkillers: over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen.

How can I get rid of plantar fasciitis? What exercises should I do every day?

If you have plantar fasciitis, you should do these movements every day:

• Stretching: Stretch the muscles in your calves and the bottoms of your feet. Put a towel on the ground and use it to pull your foot toward you. This will stretch the arch of your foot.
• Toe stretches: Pick up a towel or a few marbles with your toes to strengthen the muscles in your feet.
• Heel raises: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and lift up onto your toes. Lower back down.
• Rolling: Roll the arch of your foot with a foam roller or a rolling pin to relieve pain and stress.

You can find more detailed instructions here.

Before you start a new exercise program, you should talk to a doctor or physical therapist to make sure it's safe for your situation.

Who is a specialist in treating plantar fasciitis?

A podiatrist is a doctor who is trained to treat heel fasciitis. Podiatrists are doctors who focus on identifying and treating problems with the foot and ankle, such as plantar fasciitis. They are trained to use a wide range of treatments, such as medicine, physical therapy, orthotics (shoe inserts), and, in the worst cases, surgery. If you think you have plantar fasciitis, you should see a podiatrist to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

How does a podiatrist treat plantar fasciitis?

A doctor will figure out if you have plantar fasciitis by looking at your feet and reading about your symptoms and medical history. The goal of treatment is to lessen pain and swelling in the plantar fascia, improve how the foot works, and stop the condition from coming back.

Some of the ways a podiatrist might treat plantar fasciitis are as follows:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises to make the foot muscles and ligaments more flexible and stronger.
• Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that support the arch and spread weight evenly across the foot.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen, can help lessen pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy uses massage, ultrasound, and other methods to improve circulation, reduce pain, and increase range of motion.
• Ice treatment is when you put ice on the injured area to ease pain and swelling.
• Shock wave treatment is when sound waves are used to help the plantar fascia heal.
• In very bad cases, surgery may be needed to cut the plantar fascia and stop the pain.

It's important to remember that not everyone with plantar fasciitis will need surgery. The length of treatment will depend on how bad the condition is and how well the person responds to non-surgical treatments. Depending on your wants and condition, your podiatrist will figure out the best way to treat you.

How do you fix plantar fasciitis with surgery?

Surgery is generally only suggested for plantar fasciitis when other treatments haven't helped enough and the condition has been going on for several months. The goal of surgery is to get rid of pain and make the foot work better.

Some of the surgeries that can be done to treat heel fasciitis are listed below:

• Plantar fascia release: This is a way to reduce pain and tension by letting go of the tight tissue in the plantar fascia.
• Endoscopic plantar fascia release: This is a treatment that only makes small cuts and uses a small camera to release the plantar fascia.
• Calcaneal spur removal: Sometimes, the pain is caused by a bone spur on the heel bone, which can be taken out during the operation.
• Stabilization procedures: If the foot has a biomechanical problem, like a flat foot or high arches, a stabilization operation may be done to fix it.

It's important to remember that surgery isn't right for everyone, and if you want to have surgery, you should talk to your podiatrist about it. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons of the process. Also, it's important to know that getting better after surgery can be a slow and gradual process, and that you may need physical treatment and rehabilitation after the operation.

What is the most effective treatment to treat plantar fasciitis?

The success of surgery for plantar fasciitis depends on many things, such as how bad the condition is, how the patient's body is built, and how healthy the patient is overall. Because of this, there is no single treatment that can be called the best for all patients.

In general, endoscopic plantar fascia release and other minimally invasive procedures have been shown to help many people with plantar fasciitis, with a lower risk of complications than more invasive operations. But this may not be the best choice for all patients, and how well the process works for each person will depend on their unique situation.

It's important to talk to your podiatrist about the different treatment choices and decide on the best one for you after getting all the facts. Your podiatrist can help you understand the pros and cons of each process and can work with you to make a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

If you have plantar fasciitis, is TENEX a good surgery?

TENEX, which stands for "Tissue Engineering by Minimally Invasive Nucleoplasty," is also known as "ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy." It is a treatment that uses ultrasound technology to remove damaged plantar fascia tissue. It is a minimally invasive treatment. Some people with heel fasciitis who haven't gotten better with less invasive treatments have found this to be helpful.

TENEX is a fairly new procedure, and there hasn't been much study on how well it works in the long run. But after the treatment, many people say they feel much less pain and can do things better.

It's important to remember that TENEX isn't right for everyone, and you should talk to your podiatrist before deciding to have the procedure done. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks of the process. Also, it's important to know that getting better after TENEX can be a slow and gradual process, and that you may need physical therapy and rehab after the surgery.

In general, TENEX can be a good choice for some people with heel fasciitis, but the best treatment will depend on the individual's unique situation. It's best to talk to your podiatrist about the different treatment options and make an educated choice about what's best for you.

Are runners more likely to get plantar fasciitis?

Yes, runners are more likely to get plantar fasciitis, especially those who do high-impact exercises like running on hard surfaces, running uphill, or running long distances. Running's repeated stress can cause the plantar fascia to get overworked and irritated, which can cause pain and swelling in the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is also more likely to happen to runners who have flat feet, high arches, or who wear shoes that don't support their feet well enough.

Plantar fasciitis can happen to people who don't do high-impact activities, like those who are overweight, have jobs that require them to stand for long periods of time, or have tight leg muscles. The problem can happen to anyone, no matter how active they are.

How long does plantar fasciitis treatment take?

The amount of time it takes to treat plantar fasciitis depends a lot on how bad the condition is, what kind of treatment is being used, and how healthy the patient is in general. Plantar fasciitis can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more to fully heal.

Many people can get a lot of pain relief from traditional treatments like stretching exercises, orthotics, and physical therapy in a few weeks to a few months. But for some people, the condition can last for months or even years, which calls for a more aggressive treatment plan.

If surgery is needed, it may take several months to a year or more to fully heal. Physical treatment and rehabilitation are often needed after surgery to help the foot get stronger and more flexible and to keep the problem from coming back.

It's important to be patient and realize that getting better can take a long time. It's also important to stick to a steady and effective treatment plan and work closely with your podiatrist to track your progress and make any necessary changes to your treatment plan along the way.

Does health insurance pay for the cost of care for plantar fasciitis?

The cost of treating plantar fasciitis is covered in different ways by different health insurance plans.

Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of non-invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis, like physical therapy, orthotics, and stretching activities. Some insurance plans may also cover minimally invasive treatments like TENEX (Tissue Engineering by Minimally Invasive Nucleoplasty).

Most health insurance plans will cover surgery for plantar fasciitis, but the amount of coverage will depend on the patient's specific plan and the type of surgery being done. At Gotham Footcare, our surgical coordinator will contact your insurance provider to find out what procedures and treatments your plan covers and how much you might have to pay out of pocket.

In some cases, health insurance may not cover the cost of treating plantar fasciitis if the condition was there before the insurance was bought or if the treatment is thought to be experimental or not medically necessary.

Before starting treatment, we will check with your insurance company to find out how you're covered and discuss with you any possible out-of-pocket costs.

Can plantar fasciitis get better without treatment?

Plantar fasciitis can sometimes get better on its own with rest and self-care. But most people will need some kind of treatment to relieve their symptoms and keep the situation from getting worse over time.

If you don't treat plantar fasciitis, the pain can get worse and last for a long time, making it hard to do even simple things like walking or standing. Also, if you don't treat the condition, the plantar fascia can get tighter and stiffer, which makes it even harder to treat.

Because of these things, it's important to get care for plantar fasciitis as soon as possible to ease the pain and keep the condition from getting worse over time. Your podiatrist can suggest the best treatment plan for you based on how bad your condition is and what your goals are.

If I have plantar fasciitis, what kind of shoes should I wear?

If you have plantar fasciitis, you should make sure to wear shoes that give your feet enough support and padding. People with heel fasciitis are often told to wear the following kinds of shoes:

• Motion control shoes: People with flat feet or who overpronate should wear shoes with a strong, stable structure that helps stop the foot from rolling inward too much.
• Shoes with built-in arch support can help relieve pain and stress on the plantar fascia.
• Cushioned shoes: Shoes with a lot of padding in the heel and forefoot can help the plantar fascia absorb shock and reduce stress.
• High-top shoes: High-top shoes that support the ankle can help keep the ankle stable and take pressure off the plantar fascia.

Also, it's important to wear shoes that fit well and give your toes enough room. Don't wear shoes with soles that are worn out or that don't have enough hip support.

It's best to see a podiatrist. They can look at your feet and tell you what shoes would be best for your wants and conditions. They can also suggest orthotics, which are shoe inserts that are made to fit your feet and give them more support and padding.

If I have plantar fasciitis, should I still walk on my feet?

People with plantar fasciitis can benefit from walking, which is an important part of daily life. But it's important to avoid making your symptoms worse and to keep the condition from getting worse by taking certain steps.

When you have plantar fasciitis, it's best to take frequent breaks and let your feet rest when they hurt. You might also feel better if you use support devices, like orthotics, to help your feet feel less stressed.

Stretching and strengthening activities for your feet, calves, and Achilles tendon can also help relieve symptoms and keep the condition from getting worse over time.

Also, it's important to wear shoes with enough support and cushioning and to stay away from high heels and shoes without enough foot support.

In some cases, you may need to change how much you move around or use crutches or a boot to give your feet support and time to rest.

Schedule Your Plantar Fasciitis Consultation at Gotham Footcare Today

If you have plantar fasciitis, you should see a podiatrist. They can assess your situation and help you choose the best treatment plan for your needs and goals.

Gotham Footcare is a reputable podiatry practice with multiple locations in New York City. Their team of highly trained and experienced podiatrists provide a comprehensive range of foot and ankle treatments, including sports injuries, bunions, hammertoes, Morton’s Neuroma, nail fungus, and plantar fasciitis. They use state-of-the-art technology and the latest medical advancements to ensure their patients receive the best possible care. The practice is dedicated to improving patients' quality of life by addressing their foot and ankle issues with personalized treatment plans.