A common foot condition such as plantar fasciitis can be quite painful. Our Fort Worth, TX, podiatrist has successfully helped numerous patients overcome this frustrating ailment and has some tips on what you can do if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. Read more to learn what you can do for pain relief from our helpful foot and ankle specialist at Dallas Podiatry Works.
According to our Fort Worth, TX, podiatrist, your plantar fascia is a ligament that stretches from the base of your heel, across the bottom of your foot up to your toes. Overuse or repetitive strain on the ligament – usually in athletes, like runners – can cause tiny tears in the plantar fascia tissue. Patients often describe sharp, stabbing pain with the first steps of the day.
Because other foot conditions such as tendinitis or stress fractures can cause heel pain, our knowledge foot care specialist at Dallas Podiatry Works says it is important to have an accurate diagnosis from an experienced podiatrist in Fort Worth. Your appointment should include a thorough medical history and physical examination to determine if the cause of your foot pain is from plantar fasciitis.
Our podiatrist in Fort Worth, TX, knows how hard it is to decrease your usual level of activity, but avoiding any additional strain on the injured ligament is an important part of the healing process. Using over-the-counter pain relievers can alleviate the associated inflammation and pain temporarily, but stopping your exercise routine gives the ligament the much need break from repetitive overuse.
Our foot specialist at Dallas Podiatry Works recommends you ice your heel several times per day. Reusable ice packs are convenient, says our podiatrist in Fort Worth, but applying ice directly to the affected area is also effective. You can even make your own homemade ice cup by freezing water in a disposable plastic or paper cup, and then apply to your heel for 10-15 minutes.
Stretching and strengthening exercises can be done at home, or under the guidance of a physical therapist, says our Fort Worth, TX, podiatrist. Other therapies to try are shoe inserts, like heel cups or orthotics, to help distribute the pressure to your feet more evenly.
Relieving your plantar fasciitis pain can involve a combination of different treatment measures, advises our podiatrist in Fort Worth. Most patients recover with conventional methods, including resting, icing, and stretching.
Call Dallas Podiatry Works for an appointment to get your heel pain back under control.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about pain relief for your plantar fasciitis or other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Dallas Podiatry Works, with a convenient podiatry office near Fort Worth, TX, by clicking here or by calling 972.853.7100.
Dallas Office: 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 280, Dallas, TX 75251
Plano Office: 5068 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 155, Plano, TX 75093
