Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from the inside edge of your heel to your toes. This area on the underside of your foot supports your arch and provides shock absorption.

When stressed, you can experience pain anywhere along your plantar fascia, but it generally develops where the ligament attaches to the inside of your heel.

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. Your chances of having plantar fasciitis are higher if you have flatfeet, increase your activity level too quickly, or have tight calf muscles.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is having pain on the underside of your foot along the inside edge of your heel bone. In most cases, your pain is usually worse when you take your first step in the morning and often improves the more you move around.

Additional signs of plantar fasciitis include discomfort while walking barefoot or when wearing shoes that lack arch support, like flip-flops. Plantar fasciitis pain can also flare up during weight-bearing activities.

When you have pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night or a bruise or popping sensation under your foot, it could indicate a ruptured plantar fascia or stress fracture in your heel.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed and treated?

Dr. De La Torre diagnoses plantar fasciitis by discussing your symptoms, reviewing your medical history, examining your foot for pain, and checking the flexibility of your calf muscle. He also evaluates your walk and looks for signs of foot issues, like high arches and flatfeet.

Based on your exam, Dr. De La Torre may also order digital imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds to look for signs of a stress fracture or tearing or thickening of your plantar fascia.

After reaching a diagnosis, Dr. De La Torre develops a personalized approach to treat your plantar fasciitis and manage your discomfort. Common treatments for this condition might include:

• Orthotics, like arch supports or heel questions
• Plantar fascia night splints
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy

Dr. De La Torre might also recommend interventional pain management therapies, like cortisone injections.

For more information on plantar fasciitis pain, call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today.