Here at Syracuse Podiatry, we see patients with all types of foot and ankle problems. One of the most common conditions we see is heel pain, which is often caused by plantar fasciitis. Since heel pain can be extremely uncomfortable and affect your walking and the rest of your body, it is important to seek treatment as soon as symptoms start.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot and connects from the heel bone to the toe area. It acts as a shock absorption during walking, running, jumping, and any other activity that applies pressure to the arch. This is why it is a very common problem seen in runners and other athletes who engage in repetitive vigorous activity. Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia becomes overused or irritated causing pain and inflammation.
How is it treated?
Most patients respond to conservative treatments including:
- Rest, icing, and elevating
- Strapping to alleviate stress on the plantar fascia
- Physical therapy to stretch, relieve tension, and strengthen the surrounding muscles
- Custom orthotics that can help provide extra support and address poor foot mechanics
- Shockwave therapy, which uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate blood flow and healing in the affected area. It is a non-invasive procedure that can help avoid more aggressive treatments like surgery.
For more serious cases of plantar fasciitis, surgery may be performed to release tension that may have built up in the plantar fascia. No matter what type of treatment you need, Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico of Syracuse Podiatry has the expertise to help! Dr. D’Amico is board-certified and specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and is adept at treating the most complex cases. If you have ankle pain, diabetic foot problems, warts, bunions, hammertoes or any other foot or ankle problem, please contact us or call us at our office in Fayetteville at (315) 446-3668 to schedule an appointment today!