Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

Associated Foot Specialists

Podiatrists located in Holden, MA & Hudson, MA

If you have stabbing foot or heel pain that doesn’t go away, you may have plantar fasciitis. At Associated Foot Specialists in Holden and Hudson, Massachusetts, skilled podiatrists Anthony Tickner, DPM, and Steven Quan, DPM, diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis to get you back on your feet without discomfort. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.

Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel and foot pain. It causes thick bands of tissues along the bottom of your feet to get inflamed. Plantar fasciitis can be debilitating when left untreated, reducing your ability to stay active and enjoy life to its fullest. See the Associated Foot Specialists team for an evaluation at the first sign of heel discomfort.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis may cause the following symptoms:

Stabbing foot pain
Heel discomfort
Pain that gets worse in the morning
Pain with walking or standing
Discomfort that worsens after exercise

Complications that can appear with untreated plantar fasciitis include reduced physical activity and back, hip, or knee problems.

What are the risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples include:

Tissue tearing and stretching
Being aged 40-60
High-stress exercise
Flat feet
High foot arches
Abnormal walking patterns
Physically demanding occupations
Obesity

Maintaining a healthy weight, taking good care of your feet, not overtraining, and wearing comfortable shoes with orthotics are the best ways to reduce your risk of plantar fasciitis discomfort.

How does my doctor diagnose plantar fasciitis?

Your foot specialist can diagnose plantar fasciitis after discussing your symptoms and medical history with you. They also examine your feet and may order X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging procedures that detect or rule out additional causes of heel pain.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Common treatments your podiatrist could recommend for plantar fasciitis include:

Healthy weight management
Wearing supportive, comfortable shoes
Icing painful areas of your feet
Home stretching and strengthening exercises
Medications
Physical therapy
Custom-fitted orthotics
Night splints
Injections
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Ultrasonic tissue repair
Surgery

Surgery might be an option if other plantar fasciitis treatments haven’t worked or if you experience severe discomfort. Your specialist completes surgery after numbing the treatment area and making a tiny incision to detach plantar fascia tissue from your heel bone.

Don’t live with plantar fasciitis pain when you don’t have to. Schedule an appointment with Associated Foot Specialists by phone or online today.

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