Plantar Fasciitis Doctor in New York

woman tying shoes

What is plantar fasciitis?

At the bottom of each foot, there is a band of tissue called the plantar fascia. This runs from your heel all the way through your foot and into the pad of your toes. Sometimes, this band of tissue can become irritated and inflamed, causing chronic foot and heel pain. When this occurs, it’s known as plantar fasciitis. This condition is also commonly associated with a related condition known as heel spur syndrome. Our orthopedic team at Specialty Orthopaedics has extensive experience diagnosing and treating all kinds of heel pain, including pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Heel pain from plantar fasciitis is caused by irritation of the plantar fascia tissue in your foot. The most common reasons for this inflammation include:

  • man at trackWearing shoes with worn-out soles
  • Having high arches in your feet
  • Having flat feet (low / no arches)
  • Having a tight Achilles tendon
  • Wearing high-heels often

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Contact one of our orthopedic specialists if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis:

  • Heel pain
  • Foot arch pain
  • Foot pain that increases when walking or standing up
  • Foot pain or foot stiffness when getting out of bed in the morning
  • Foot pain or foot stiffness when standing after a long period of sitting

In most cases, plantar fasciitis pain gradually worsens over time. Additionally, the heel pain will often subside after walking around throughout the day, but will return again the next morning.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

doctorsAt Specialty Orthopaedics, we have years of experience diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis and other orthopedic foot and ankle conditions. During a visit with one of our foot and ankle specialists, we’ll evaluate your foot and ask you questions about your symptoms, location of your foot pain, and any past medical conditions. In most cases, we can determine whether you are suffering from plantar fasciitis through a physical evaluation and your description of the pain you are feeling. However, in order to rule out other conditions, like a heel fracture, we may recommend an imaging test to see the inside of your foot in detail. We most commonly use the following imaging tests to help make a diagnosis:

  • X-rays
  • MRI scans
  • CT scans

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Many patients overcome foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis with conservative treatments. At Specialty Orthopaedics, we make every effort to treat your condition with non-surgical options first. These may include:

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Alternative footwear
  • Cortisone injections

If conservative options fail to alleviate your painful foot symptoms, our surgeons may recommend undergoing plantar fasciitis surgery. This treatment option is rarely needed, but can alleviate your foot pain if other options fail.

Consult Specialty Orthopaedics for Plantar Fasciitis!

If you are experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis, visit Specialty Orthopaedics. Our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914.686.0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.

Dr. Jared Littlejohn, DPM

Foot & Ankle Specialist

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