Plantar Fasciitis

Knoxville’s Best Choice for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Eastern Tennessee

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What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue (fascia) that runs from your heel bone to the base of your toes. It keeps the arch of the foot straight and absorbs shock when you walk. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons for heel pain and involves swelling of this band of tissue.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel a stabbing pain when you take your first steps in the morning. The pain usually goes away when you stand up and move around, but it can come back if you stand for a long time or when you stand up after sitting.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Most people with plantar fasciitis get better in a few months if they do things like ice the painful area, stretch, and change or stop doing things that irritate the area. Below are the many treatment options for this condition:

  • Medications – Ibuprofen can help ease the pain and inflammation
  • Physical therapy A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen your lower leg muscles and stretch your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon
  • Splints to wear overnight – Your physical therapist or doctor might have you wear a splint that keeps your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a stretched-out position while you sleep, which helps with stretching for a long period of time
  • Orthotics for your shoes – Your doctor may give you off-the-shelf or custom-made arch supports to help spread the pressure on your feet more evenly
  • Assistive walking devices – You may get a walker, cane, or crutches recommended to you for a short time to help relieve your affected foot from the pressure of your weight
  • Injections – Steroid injections can help temporarily relieve pain and inflammation, however, this should not be the only form of treatment
  • Surgery – Foot surgery is rarely needed and is generally a choice for when the pain is severe and other treatments haven’t helped. Surgery is done to separate the plantar fascia from the heel bone, and it can be done as an open surgery or with a small incision and local anesthesia

Plantar Fasciitis FAQs

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

When the fascia is pulled or stressed, small tears can happen. Repeatedly stretching and tearing the fascia can irritate or inflame it, but in many cases of plantar fasciitis, the cause is still unknown.

What Increases the Risk of Plantar Fasciitis?

Even though plantar fasciitis can happen without a clear reason, there are some things that can make you more likely to get it, which include:

  • Age
  • Activities that put a lot of stress on the heels, such as long-distance running, ballet, and aerobic dance
  • Flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal walking pattern
  • Obesity
  • Jobs that require you to stay on your feet for long periods

Visit a Knoxville Foot Specialist Near You

Tennessee Orthopaedic Clinics offers orthopedic foot care at its many locations in and around Knoxville. Wherever you are in East Tennessee, you’re always close to an orthopedic specialist that can help you “get back on your feet” and back to the physical activities you love.

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