Any type of discomfort in your foot can make it more difficult to walk or stay physically active. If you ever feel pain caused by something in your shoe, but can’t seem to find the source, you may have a condition called plantar fasciitis.
At New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine, experienced pain management specialist Jose De La Torre, MD, often treats athletes who develop plantar fasciitis from running. Although this condition can develop for a variety of reasons, running is a common cause of plantar fasciitis, and for this reason, the injury is often known as runner’s heel.
The thin ligament that connects the front part of your foot to your heel is called the plantar fascia. This structure supports the arch of your foot and allows you to stay mobile. When you stretch the plantar fascia too far, it can tear the tissue and lead to persistent inflammation that causes plantar fasciitis.
In addition to running and participating in other sports, your risk for developing plantar fasciitis increases because of:
The more tears that develop in your plantar fascia, the more painful your condition can become. Without the right treatment, you may be limited in how much physical activity you can do on your feet because of the increased pain in and around your heel.
In addition to heel pain, plantar fasciitis has some distinct symptoms that Dr. De La Torre evaluates to confirm your condition. These symptoms include:
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis is often worse in the morning when you take your first few steps of the day. Pain typically lessens as you continue to move, but may return if you stand for long periods of time or engage in high-impact activities.
Wearing inflexible or heavy-soled shoes can put additional pressure on your plantar fascia. Walking around in this type of shoe all day can increase your risk for ligament tears and persistent foot pain, especially in your heel.
Pain from plantar fasciitis can occur not only when you put pressure on your heel, but also when you move your foot in certain ways, such as bending it upward or downward.
The longer plantar fasciitis remains untreated, the more likely you are to experience serious damage to the ligaments and other structures in your foot. As your condition worsens, you may find it difficult to move your foot or put any amount of pressure on it without serious pain.
Pregnant women often experience swelling and discomfort in their feet, especially as they get closer to their due date. As you gain weight and retain more water, you may be at increased risk for developing tears in your plantar fascia.
When plantar fasciitis pain changes how you walk or stand, you can develop lower back pain as a result. It’s important that you schedule an evaluation as soon as possible at New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine if you have lower back pain in addition to other symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Dr. De La Torre offers comprehensive care for plantar fasciitis. Through custom treatment plans that include orthotics, physical therapy, and cortisone injections, he focuses on easing your pain and preventing additional complications from affecting your mobility and overall health.
If you have any warning signs of plantar fasciitis, schedule an evaluation at New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine by calling the Wesley Chapel, Florida, office or by requesting an appointment through the online booking feature.
