Spotting the signs of plantar fasciitis is usually fairly straightforward. That’s because it’s a common problem that causes pain close to the heel on the bottom of the foot. And, for most people, symptoms are typically worse upon waking or after long periods at rest or standing.
Plantar fasciitis can also cause a burn or ache along the arch, tenderness, swelling, or a tight Achilles tendon. It can also cause stiffness or pain after walking and climbing stairs and make daily life difficult. If this sounds familiar, we’ve got good news for you.
The Advanced Care Foot and Ankle team can diagnose your condition during an exam at their offices in Corona or Ontario, California. And the sooner you have a diagnosis, the faster you can get relief — here’s how.
Plantar fasciitis may cause pronounced heel pain, but this injury involves an entire band of tissue connecting this bone to your toes. Think of this tissue — or plantar fascia — as the spring in your step. It also supports the arch.
When plantar fasciitis develops, it’s from small tears in the fascia.
Common risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:
Our team can typically diagnose plantar fasciitis by checking your feet for redness, swelling, or bruising. We also gently press on specific areas of your feet and move them from side to side, assessing your range of motion and flexibility.
This process, in addition to your symptoms and medical history, typically provides enough information to reach a diagnosis. However, if it doesn’t, we could order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Once we confirm you have plantar fasciitis, we can put together the most effective treatment strategy.
The good news is that plantar fasciitis rarely requires surgery. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Without treatment, plantar fasciitis can cause chronic heel pain that interferes with regular activities if you try to ignore this problem.
And, to make matters worse, people often modify their walking mechanics to avoid aggravating their symptoms. That can trigger additional problems in the foot, knee, hip, or even the back.
Instead, our team can help manage your symptoms and help you avoid ongoing problems with a variety of treatments, such as:
Far less often, we recommend surgery to address plantar fasciitis symptoms.
This common foot problem can stop you in your tracks. Fortunately, you can usually expect to notice improvements as soon as you start treatment. However, it can take a few weeks to a few months for the plantar fascia to completely heal.
Do you have plantar fasciitis? Don’t wait to take action. Contact Advanced Care Foot and Ankle by phone or online to schedule a consultation with one of our experts in Corona or Ontario, California, today.