Plantar Fasciitis

There is a ligament along the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia that stretches from the heel to the base of the toes. If the ligament is forced to stretch beyond its limit, it may become inflamed and result in heel pain, a condition called plantar fasciitis. Patients often complain of discomfort in the heel, the arch of the foot or the back of the leg when walking. The pain is usually worst when getting up after sitting or lying down for an extended period of time.

Bone spurs are a common complication of plantar fasciitis. Bony calcium growths on the bottom of the heel, they form where the plantar fascia pulls on the heel bone. Spurs don’t usually cause pain themselves, but they are often a good indicator of the severity and age of the underlying problem.

Treatments for plantar fasciitis begin with rest and stretching exercises, and in some cases, anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen. These should help alleviate pain within two months, and together with certain life adjustments, they reduce the risk of the condition recurring or becoming a chronic ailment. Cortisone injections, arch support and orthotic inserts may be recommended as well. Patients who continue to experience pain after these conservative methods may benefit from corticosteroid injections or surgery.

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For more information, call Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists in Tucson, AZ at (520) 327-9677. For your convenience, you may Request an Appointment through our web site.