Are you experiencing stabbing foot pain that usually gets worse after prolonged activity or rest? Is your heel swollen and tender? You could be having plantar fasciitis—an overuse injury caused by a repetitive strain to your plantar fascia, the bowstring-like band of connective tissue that attaches your heel bone to your toes.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be managed with self-care measures, such as resting, stretching, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. For those cases that persist, however, proper medical intervention is necessary, as leaving it untreated for a long time can lead to a ripple effect on other structures throughout your lower body. When your plantar fascia is compromised, the structures that support your knee, hip, and back also have to work harder to compensate, consequently causing pain in these areas.
Let’s explore some of the treatment methods orthopedic specialists use to effectively address plantar fasciitis.
Steroid Injections
If your symptoms aren’t relieved with oral medications, your physician may recommend cortisone (steroid) shot, which helps decrease the inflammation in the area and, therefore, reduces the pain. Cortisone shots can provide effective relief that can last up to several months.
Physical therapy (PT)
Physical therapy has been shown to effectively reduce inflammation and strengthen the plantar fascia. Your physical therapist will incorporate exercises and other therapeutic modalities, such as massage, ice, and ultrasound therapy to promote healing in the area.
Custom Orthotics
A pair of custom orthotics (shoe inserts) can make a remarkable difference in improving your symptoms. Custom orthotics take the pressure off your plantar fascia and distribute it evenly throughout your foot.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), especially when used as an adjunct to physical therapy, has shown to yield optimal treatment outcomes in patients suffering from plantar fasciitis.
PRP therapy involves extracting a small sample of your own blood and processing it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which are then injected into the affected area in your foot.
PRP therapy has been touted by orthopedic experts for its remarkable benefits, such as:
- Long-lasting pain relief
- Faster healing time (by as much as 50 percent), thus quicker return to normal activities
- Little to no downtime
- Little to no risk of complications
Surgery
If you have intractable care of plantar fasciitis, your orthopedic specialist will likely recommend surgery to completely address the problem.
Plantar fascia release surgery is done to remove the damaged portion of the plantar fascia and release tension and consequently eliminate the symptoms.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Naples, FL
Don’t let plantar fasciitis dash your racing hopes—turn to one of our board-certified orthopedic specialists here at Joint Replacement Institute. We offer a vast range of innovative nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to address the full spectrum of conditions and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system. Our comprehensive suite of on-site services—which includes podiatric care and physical therapy—allows our patients to have everything taken care of under one roof.
Call us at (239) 261-2663 to schedule an evaluation with one of our orthopedic specialists. You can also fill out our convenient appointment request form.
