Do You Have Plantar Fasciitis?

That ache in your heel may actually be a symptom of a common foot condition called plantar fasciitis. While this issue is painful to the point of daily life disruption, there are fortunately a number of ways to ease your discomfort, and our Vineland, NJ, podiatrist, Dr. Jeffrey Belancio, can help!

Could I have plantar fasciitis?

You might have plantar fasciitis if:

• You have painful mornings: People who have plantar fasciitis often notice that their heel pain is more intense first thing in the morning. The sharp, stabbing pain may only last a few minutes, but it can make getting out of bed quite an unpleasant experience.
• Sitting makes things worse: Standing or walking after a period of inactivity can also cause your pain to intensify.
• The pain crept up on you: Plantar fasciitis pain often develops slowly over a period of weeks or months.
• Post-exercise pain is a problem: Plantar fasciitis pain can be affected by exercise, but the pain usually doesn't start until after you stop exercising.

How did I get plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tough band of tissue that connects your toes to your heels becomes inflamed. You're more likely to develop the condition if you don't wear shoes that adequately cushion/support your feet, have tight calf muscles or high or low arches, are overweight, or your job requires long periods of standing.

People who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are five times more likely to have plantar fasciitis than those who have a BMI lower than 25, according to the NCCIH analysis.

What can my Vineland foot doctor do to help me?

Your foot doctor can offer a variety of helpful treatments, devices, and therapies, including:

• Orthotics
• Night splints
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Removable walking casts
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
• Surgery (only needed in severe cases)

Contact us

Ease your heel pain with a visit to the podiatrist! Call your Vineland, NJ, podiatrist, Dr. Jeffrey Belancio, at (856) 839-0579 to schedule an appointment.