We want to discuss that pain under your heel, the one that sends you into a tizzy when you first step out of bed in the morning. The thought of it makes you want to roll over and go back to sleep, but you have a job to go to, kids to get to school, or groceries to buy, so you climb out of bed and say “Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” until you begin to limber up a bit.
This is the classic symptom of a condition called plantar fasciitis. It involves damage and inflammation in the strong band of tissue that connects your heel and toe bones and forms the basis for your arch.
Several factors may be contributing to your pain, including flat feet, overpronation in your gait, poor shoes, overuse, a tight Achilles tendon and calf muscles, and more. Whatever the reason, tension on the fascia can irritate it or cause tiny tears to appear in the tissue, causing much discomfort. The resulting inflammation as your body tries to heal the ligament can lead to additional pain.
Fortunately, orthotics for plantar fasciitis is one conservative treatment that seems to help. These are full-length foot inserts that fit in your shoes. We custom fit them to your feet to give added support to your arch. The support and cushioning is designed to relieve stress on the fascia and thereby allow it to heal.
Along with orthotics, we may prescribe rest from activities that traumatize the ligament (such as running or long hours on your feet), certain pain relievers, and icing and massage. It has also been found that a good stretching regimen and possibly the use of night splints to keep the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon stretched out can greatly reduce your pain in the morning. And that’s the goal, right?
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis can put a damper on many of your activities. Isn’t it time to say goodbye to it for good? You can call Ankle and Foot Specialist of New Jersey at 908-222-8980 to set up an appointment at our office, which is conveniently located at the border between Edison and South Plainfield, NJ. Remember, you can also schedule online. We’ll evaluate your symptoms and help you decide whether custom orthotics might be the answer for your discomfort.
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