Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Manhattan Foot and Ankle offers the most advanced, most effective treatments for plantar fasciitis in Manhattan and throughout New York City. If you have plantar fasciitis, your doctor at Manhattan Foot and Ankle will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan at one of our 4 locations in Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, New York.
Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that causes pain under the heel bone often with lengthy walks and prolonged standing. It is most often seen in middle-aged men and women.
Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that lies at the bottom of the foot. It runs from the heel bone to the toe and forms the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia functions as a shock absorber and also supports the arch of the foot.
Too much of pressure over the fascia may damage or tear away the tissue and can be a cause of heel pain. It is also possible that when the plantar fascia gets overstretched or overused repeatedly, there may be irritation or inflammation of the fascia. Inflammation of the plantar fascia causes plantar fasciitis.
The risk factors that can make you more prone to develop plantar fasciitis include obesity, foot arch problems such as flat feet and high arch, activities such as long-distance running, ballet dancing and dance aerobics, occupations that necessitate walking or standing on hard surfaces for long period of time and wearing shoes with poor arch support or thin-soled shoes.
There are many treatments for plantar fasciitis. Initially, the use of injectable or oral anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), taping or strapping the foot, use of shoe inserts or custom made orthoses (orthotics). By supporting the foot in this way, stressed muscles and tendons are placed in a physiological state of rest and biomechanical imbalances are corrected. In addition to rest and reducing body weight, physical therapy may also be recommended.
In some instances surgery for plantar fasciitis is required. Based on the condition and the chronic nature of the disease, heel surgery can provide relief of pain and restore mobility in many cases. The type of procedure is based on examination and usually consists of plantar fascia release, with or without heel spur excision. There have been various modifications and surgical enhancements regarding surgery of the heel. Your podiatric physician will determine which method is best suited for you.
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