Struggling with foot or heel pain and wondering if plantar fasciitis is the cause? You’ve got a good reason! Over three million Americans are diagnosed with this painful condition that affects the thick ligament at the bottom of their feet.

But even though plantar fasciitis is common, it’s not the only cause of foot pain. Board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and the team at New Canaan Podiatry, diagnoses and treats many causes of foot pain at her New Canaan, Connecticut, practice — including plantar fasciitis.

Take a moment to learn the warning signs of this common foot condition and the treatments available to help you find relief.

Understanding plantar fasciitis

Your plantar fascia is thick ligaments on the bottom of your feet. These bands of tissue extend from your heels to the base of your toes and provide the support the arches of your feet need to help you walk, run, and jump with ease.

Plantar fasciitis develops when this ligament is strained and becomes inflamed. The inflammation makes the plantar fascia tissue tighten while your feet rest.

When you take your first steps after sitting for some time or sleeping, the tissue pulls and strains. The result? Pain in your foot and heel. You may notice that standing, running, or walking makes your symptoms worse.

Some risk factors that make it more likely for you to develop plantar fasciitis include:

• Standing regularly for extended periods
• Having tight calf muscles
• Running long-distances regularly
• Being overweight or obese
• Not wearing comfortable, supportive shoes
• Having very high arches or flat feet

Women have a slightly greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis than men, with women who are in their final trimester of pregnancy having the greatest risk.

Plantar fasciitis warning signs

If you’re struggling with foot pain, knowing whether it’s caused by plantar fasciitis or something else is top of mind. Here’s a look at the most common warning signs of this degenerative foot condition:

• Pain in the heels (dull or stabbing)
• Pain that increases after exercise
• Pain in the arch of your foot
• Heel pain that’s worse after sitting or first thing in the morning
• Swelling in the heel
• Pain that gets worse when you flex or stretch your foot
• Pain when you press on the sides of your heel

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms of plantar fasciitis, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tauber at New Canaan Podiatry. Generally speaking, the longer you experience symptoms and the worse your pain, the more difficult it is to treat plantar fasciitis quickly and effectively.

Untreated plantar fasciitis may also cause additional pain in other areas of the body because of the way it affects your walk (gait), so be sure to seek treatment if you suspect plantar fasciitis.

Treating plantar fasciitis

Different treatments exist for plantar fasciitis, and the best one is the one that meets your unique needs. At New Canaan Podiatry, Dr. Tauber first evaluates your feet by conducting a physical exam, discussing your symptoms, and ordering any necessary imaging studies.

Based on her findings, Dr. Tauber may recommend one or more of the following plantar fasciitis treatments:

• Custom orthotics
• Wearing night splints
• Physical therapy
• Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT) therapy
• Strengthening exercises
• Foot stretches
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Though rare, sometimes the best treatment for plantar fasciitis is surgical intervention. If Dr. Tauber recommends this treatment for you, rest assured she uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to help you find relief from the pain of plantar fasciitis.

Find out if plantar fasciitis is at the root of your foot pain by scheduling an evaluation with Dr. Tauber at New Canaan Podiatry. Call our office at 203-263-9052 or book an appointment online now.