Plantar Fasciitis Specialist
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Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle
Podiatry, Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist located in Yarmouth, ME
If you’re one of the 2 million people with plantar fasciitis, you know how difficult chronic heel pain can be. At Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle, in Yarmouth, Maine, compassionate patient-centric podiatrist Barry White, DPM, provides a variety of individualized treatment options for plantar fasciitis and other causes of heel pain. Book your appointment online or call the office today.
Plantar Fasciitis Q&A
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the leading reason for heel pain today. This common foot condition happens when the plantar fascia — the thick band of connective tissue running along the sole of your foot — develops tiny tears. This leads to inflammation and heel pain.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis causes pain that runs along the path of the plantar fascia, with the most severe pain occurring in the heel and the beginning of your foot arch.
Most people experience a sharp heel pain when rising to a standing position after sitting or lying down. It's common to have less pain while exercising and increased pain afterward.
The pain peaks early in the morning, with your first steps each day. This occurs because your plantar fascia tightens as you sleep, so the first few steps stretch it out very suddenly to cause renewed tissue aggravation.
Who gets plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can affect anyone but is quite common in athletes who experience repetitive heel impact. If you start a new exercise routine, like distance running, or if you increase the intensity duration of your exercise, you're more likely to develop plantar fasciitis.
Certain factors, like weight difficulties, a very high foot arch, and unusually tight calf muscles, can all contribute to plantar fasciitis.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Plantar fasciitis treatment focuses on both pain relief and healing. Dr. White may prescribe a few different treatments, including:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Prescribed foot exercises
- Heel taping or strapping
- Custom functional orthotics
- Cortisone injections
Many people with plantar fasciitis wear a night splint, a boot-like device that keeps your heel flexed as you sleep. The plantar fascia usually shrinks during the night, but the night splint keeps it flexed. This can prevent early morning heel pain.
Over 90% of people find pain relief through non-surgical means. But, if you have treatment-resistant plantar fasciitis, Dr. White’s surgical expertise can come to the rescue.
As a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. White can skillfully perform a procedure to relieve tension in your plantar fascia while preserving your normal foot function.
If you need plantar fasciitis care from an expert, call Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle or book an appointment online.
