Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia —

a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. Also called heel spur syndrome, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of chronic heel pain.

Not all heel pain is related to plantar fasciitis. It can also be caused by tendinitis, arthritis, a stress fracture, nerve inflammation, or even a heel cyst, which is why it’s important to visit the team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, for a proper diagnosis.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

In most cases, plantar fasciitis develops due to structural problems in the foot, such as high arches or flat feet. However, wearing shoes that lack support can also lead to plantar fasciitis, as flat surfaces put abnormal strain on the plantar fascia.

Other risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

Age

Most people develop plantar fasciitis between ages 40-60, though it can occur at any time.

Weight

Obesity puts extra pressure on your lower limbs and can add stress to your plantar fascia.

Certain types of exercise

High-impact exercises like long-distance running, ballet, and aerobic dance put stress on your heel and plantar fascia.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is chronic heel pain. Other plantar fasciitis symptoms include:

• Throbbing pain at the bottom of the heel
• Pain that steadily increases over several months
• Heel pain that feels worse in the morning

Most people with plantar fasciitis agree that their pain feels worse when they get out of bed in the morning, or after sitting for long periods of time. Walking around and stretching for a few minutes every day can help reduce plantar fasciitis pain.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

After examining your feet and reviewing your medical history, your provider may recommend an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging tests to confirm your plantar fasciitis diagnosis.

If you still have heel pain after trying at-home treatments, such as stretching, icing, walking, going barefoot more often, and wearing shoes with support, your provider may recommend:

Custom orthotics

Custom orthotics are shoe inserts that perfectly fit your unique foot to relieve pain in the feet, knees, hips, and lower back. The team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, creates their custom orthotics in-house, so you never have to leave the office for the right pair of inserts.

PRP or stem cell therapy

During PRP therapy, your provider takes your blood and runs it through a centrifuge to isolate your platelet-rich plasma, which helps repair muscle and tissue damage. Then, they inject the PRP directly into your plantar fascia. Stem cell therapy works in a similar way, except the team uses stem cells, typically taken from bone marrow, and injects them into the damaged tissues or muscles.

Laser therapy

In severe cases, the team may recommend MLS® Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and stimulate your body’s natural healing response, which helps repair damage at the source.

If you’re struggling with heel pain, call the experts at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, or book an appointment online.