Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

Rhode Island Foot Care

Podiatry, Foot and Ankle Specialists located across Rhode Island & Massachusetts

In the United States, about two million people seek treatment for plantar fasciitis heel pain every year. To help you find relief from persistent heel pain, the team at Rhode Island Foot Care offers both non-surgical and surgical treatments at the offices in North Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, Riverside, Johnston, Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, Cumberland, Warren, and Central Falls, Rhode Island, and in Taunton and Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Whether you need orthotics or minimally invasive surgery, the team offers the highest quality of plantar fasciitis treatments. Call the Rhode Island Foot Care office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. This condition develops when the plantar fascia ligament, the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot and connects your heel to the front of your foot, is irritated or becomes inflamed.

The plantar fascia is responsible for absorbing the stress you put on your feet during activity. Too much pressure can cause strains and tears in the ligament that lead to persistent inflammation and pain.

You might also develop plantar fasciitis due to:

Obesity
High foot arches
Overly tight calf muscles
Repetitive movements from sports

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation to confirm or rule out plantar fasciitis if you have persistent heel pain that isn’t getting better with home care and over-the-counter medications.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing plantar fasciitis typically involves a physical exam of your foot and heel. The Rhode Island Foot Care team might also request X-rays or other imaging tests to identify heel spurs and other issues that can cause heel pain.

If they confirm plantar fasciitis, the podiatric specialists create a treatment plan to relieve pain and prevent additional damage to your plantar fascia ligament.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

When rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories aren’t enough to treat plantar fasciitis pain, the Rhode Island Foot Care team might recommend cortisone injections that deliver anti-inflammatory medications directly into the plantar fascia.

You may also benefit from shoe inserts and other orthotic devices that relieve pressure on your heel when you’re walking or participating in sports.

Another conservative option for treating plantar fasciitis pain is shockwave therapy. This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy shockwave impulses to stimulate your body’s own healing ability and repair small tears in the ligament.

Will I need surgery for plantar fasciitis?

If you still can’t find relief from your heel pain after several months, you might be a candidate for surgery to release tension in your plantar fascia by partially cutting the tissue.

The Rhode Island Foot Care team can also remove bone spurs in your feet that irritate the plantar fascia ligament.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, call the Rhode Island Foot Care office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

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