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Heel Pain (Plantar Fascitis)
Conveniently located to serve Artesia, Rancho Cucamonga, and surrounding areas

plantar_fasciitis.174152024_stdHeel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel bone to the toes. The fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. 90 % of the time plantar fasciitis does not require surgery and can be treated by conservative therapy. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or rarely a bone tumor. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed.

Causes of Heel Pain

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to biomechanic of the foot. People who have problem with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, and obesity are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.

Heel Pain Symptoms

common-foot-problemsThe symptoms of plantar fasciitis are: pain on the bottom of the heel. Pain that increases over a period of months. People with plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

Your Heel Pain Consultation

Plantar fasciitis diagnosis is based on medical history and clinical examination. During your consultation, we will discuss your symptoms. In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays or other imaging modalities such as a MRI or CT scan can be utilized to rule out other pathologies.

Based on our assessment, we will recommend suitable treatment options for your condition. If conservative treatments are viable, we will customize a treatment to help relieve your pain over time. If surgery is necessary, we will design the best treatment plan and then schedule your surgical session.

Corrective Options for Plantar Fasciitis

Conservative therapy of plantar fasciitis includes: Stretching exercises, avoid going barefoot, icing, limit activities, shoe modifications, medications(NSAIDS), padding, strapping , custom orthotic devices, injection therapy, removable walking boot, brace and physical therapy.

Surgery is only needed in a small amount of patients but when conservative therapy has failed.

There are numerous surgical procedures, these procedure includes: Minimal Invasive surgery (endoscopic plantar fascia release or small incision approach or percutatanous coblation of the fascia ) or the traditional open approach.

The duration of the surgery will depend on the type of surgery chosen for the treatment. Anesthesia will be administered to prepare the patient for surgery.

For open surgery, a 1 to 2-inch incision will be made, then the surgeon will detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone.

For endoscopic surgery, two small incisions will be made. One incision for the endoscope so the surgeon can accurately locate and cut the plantar fascia. The other incision is for the scalpel. The incisions will be closed to complete the operation.

Aftercare

During the recovery process after the procedure, the patient will need wear some kind of protection for the foot. It could be a boot, shoe, or even a cast. Patients undergoing open surgery will have a longer recovery period of around 6 to 10 weeks. Patients undergoing endoscopic surgery typically fully recover after 3 to 6 weeks.

Prescriptions and aftercare instructions will be provided to aid in the healing process. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to check on the results of the surgery and assess recovery progress.

Proper Foot Stretching Techniques

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Cost

The cost of plantar fasciitis treatment will depend on the type of treatment recommended to the patient. For surgical treatments, the anesthesia and facility fees may affect the total price of the procedure.

Contact Us

Patients seeking heel pain (plantar fasciitis) treatments in Artesia can contact My Foot Clinic for a consultation, where we will recommend the ideal treatment option. Contact us today.

Any medical or health advice provided will be approved by a medically-trained and qualified professional unless a clear statement otherwise. The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between patient and physician. Consult with your physician regarding a proper treatment plan for you.

The team at My Foot Clinic are highly trained and widely recognized as the best podiatrist in and around Reseda, Canoga Park, West Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Tarzana, Encino, Van Nuys, Artesia, Cerritos, and Norwalk.