It is officially spring in the Wayne area and many of us are spending more time outdoors to exercise. Sometimes, despite your motivation, your body may not be able to handle the sudden increase in activity. One resulting condition that we commonly treat here at Podiatry Center of New Jersey is heel pain, which is often caused by plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a thick, connective band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot and aids in supporting the foot and absorbing impact during activities such as walking, running, and jumping. When this tissue is overused, it can cause inflammation, pain, and deterioration in the area where it connects to the heel bone, resulting in plantar fasciitis. People with high arches, obesity, or tight calf muscles have a higher risk of developing this condition.
Treatments
In most cases, conservative measures are usually sufficient to treat plantar fasciitis. The most important are rest, icing the inflamed area, stretching the calf muscles, and wearing proper footwear and orthotics. Custom orthotics can be created to fit your unique foot to help provide better support and correct any abnormal movements during exercise. Physical therapy is another way to strengthen and stretch the necessary muscles to help with the heel pain. If continuing these treatments does not provide any relief, there are other treatment options available, such as surgery.
As with any medical procedure, it is important to consult with an experienced, board-certified foot care specialist like Dr. Russell Samofal to give you the best treatment plan. Dr. Samofal is not only a skilled and compassionate podiatrist, but he also specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, we treat everything from hammertoes, bunions, heel pain, fungal toenails, sports injuries, to diabetic foot problems and have the modern technology available in our office for the most effective treatments. Please contact us through our website or call us at (973) 925-4111 to make an appointment at our conveniently located office in Wayne, NJ.
