That first step out of bed in the morning feels like walking on hot knives, and even simple errands can leave you hobbling. You’ve tried the ice packs, the stretches, maybe even a night splint or two — yet your plantar fasciitis pain still lingers.
At Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists, our mission is to get you back on your feet — literally. Led by board-certified podiatrists Dr. Dan Preece, Dr. Darren Groberg, and Dr. Christian Smith, our team combines years of clinical expertise with the latest treatment innovations.
We know there’s no one-size-fits-all fix for plantar fasciitis, so we tailor every plan to you, whether that means sticking with proven conservative care or stepping up to more advanced options.
Here, we explain why conservative treatments sometimes aren’t enough, and the next steps we can take together to finally put heel pain behind you.
Conservative treatments are typically the first line of defense. They include:
These methods work for most patients, but for some, the pain persists. Chronic plantar fasciitis often involves microscopic tears, scar tissue, or long-standing inflammation that simply won’t heal without additional intervention.
That’s where our advanced therapies come in.
When conservative care fails, we turn to targeted, science-based options designed to repair tissue, reduce inflammation, and restore function.
Unlike mass-produced shoe inserts, we create our custom orthotics in-house to match the contours of your feet perfectly. This precise fit supports your arches, redistributes pressure, and improves your gait mechanics — relieving strain not just in your feet, but also in your knees, hips, and lower back.
By correcting faulty biomechanics, custom orthotics reduce the repetitive stress that contributes to plantar fascia irritation. And because we crafted your orthotics on-site, you receive the perfect pair without waiting weeks for an outside lab.
Both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy harness your body’s own regenerative potential to repair damaged tissue in the plantar fascia.
PRP therapy begins with a small blood draw, which we spin in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets — tiny cell fragments rich in growth factors that accelerate healing. We then inject the platelet concentrate directly into your damaged fascia, stimulating repair and reducing inflammation.
Stem cell therapy follows a similar process, but instead uses stem cells — which come from your own bone marrow — that can develop into new, healthy tissue cells. When injected into injured tissue, they jumpstart your body’s natural regeneration process.
Both therapies address the underlying cause of chronic heel pain rather than masking symptoms, making them especially valuable for stubborn cases.
For severe or persistent plantar fasciitis, we may recommend MLS laser therapy. This advanced medical laser delivers specific wavelengths of light energy into your damaged tissue.
The light penetrates deeply, triggering cellular activity that:
The treatment is painless, noninvasive, and performed in our office. Many patients experience reduced pain and swelling within a few sessions, with cumulative benefits over time.
If you’ve tried conservative measures for 3-6 months without improvement — or if your pain is interfering with daily life — it may be time to explore custom orthotics, regenerative injections, or laser therapy. These treatments work with your body and can provide lasting relief without surgery.
At Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists, we understand how much foot pain can impact your daily life — and how discouraging it feels when “rest and stretch” just doesn’t work. With advanced therapies, we can help you heal at the source and get you moving comfortably again.
Don’t settle for living with heel pain. Call us today to schedule your evaluation and take the next step toward lasting relief.
