Plantar fasciitis may cause pain in your foot that can negatively impact your ability to function in daily life, let alone participating in sport or exercise. The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs on the sole of your foot from your heel to the forefoot. This tissue can become inflamed for several reasons, interfering with everyday activities and making you miserable. Our skilled podiatrists at Foot Care Associates are very experienced at treating plantar fasciitis pain in Hackettstown, NJ.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

This inflammation can be the cause of a variety of symptoms. An accurate diagnosis by our team of plantar fasciitis is critical in determining the best treatment plan. Without a correct diagnosis, treatment will not be successful. Some symptoms that indicate you have plantar fasciitis are:

• Heel pain
• Pain on the first step out of bed in the morning (this is a hallmark sign of plantar fasciitis)
• Pain in your foot when you go to stand up and walk after sitting for a while
• Pain in your foot after activities, rather than during
• A tight and painful Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects your calf muscles to the heel bone)
• Pain that lasts for several months

What can cause plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is typically considered an overuse injury, meaning that excessive strain is placed on the foot either at greater loads or longer periods than the plantar fascia can withstand and provide support for. However, there can be other causes, particularly relating to the mechanics of the foot. Part of the function of the plantar fascia is to support the arch of the foot, so genetically flat feet can lead to plantar fasciitis. Other causes and risk factors may be:

• A sudden increase in activity levels
• Repetitive high impact activity
• Frequently walking or running on hard surfaces
• Footwear that does not provide enough support
• Tight calf muscles
• Obesity
• Abnormally high arches of your feet as well as the opposite of flat feet

What are some treatment options?

Physical therapy is a standard first defense strategy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. It will provide you with education on stretching and strengthening targeted muscles that support the foot. Some other treatment recommendations may include:

• Steroid injections
• Losing weight
• Getting custom orthotics
• Buying more supportive footwear 
• Wearing a night splint on your foot to keep the calf and foot in a stretched position throughout the night, to lessen the pain upon your first strep in the morning

Surgical intervention is rarely needed for plantar fasciitis. However, if the above conservative measures fail and pain has continued for a year or more, surgery may be a consideration.

Contact us

Treat your plantar fasciitis with our team at  Foot Care Associates in Hackettstown, NJ, and serving Washington, NJ. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (908) 852-0229.