Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is of the most common causes of pain in the heel and foot. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes and supports your arch, called the plantar fascia, is damaged. Patients who suffer from this punishing condition describe it as a sharp or burning sensation that can become debilitating. Symptoms are typically more acute in the morning when first standing up or at night after being on your feet all day.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is primarily caused by prolonged overuse and strain in the foot and heel. The people most prone to developing plantar fasciitis include:

• Athletes and fitness enthusiasts, like runners and gymnasts

• Workers who stand for long periods of time, like nurses, teachers, clerks, and construction workers

• Men and women who are overweight

• Those who wear improper or poorly fitting shoes

• The elderly, as connective tissues tighten and becomes less flexible

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become disabling and may lead to other painful conditions. When suffering patients compensate for the pain by altering the way they walk, they place added strain on other body parts, like their legs, hips, and back. To avoid compounding your injuries, it is extremely important to seek a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible with a well-trained, experienced, board-certified, podiatric specialist.

Dr. Kelly Geoghan, a Board-Certified Podiatrist with advanced training, decades of experience, and exceptional clinical skill, is known for providing her patients with compassionate care and successful results. To help you determine the best way to treat your plantar fasciitis, Dr. Geoghan will listen carefully to your concerns and lifestyle needs, review your medical history, perform a physical exam, conduct any necessary tests, and answer all your questions. She will then work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will address your condition, eliminate your pain, and enable you to resume your daily activities in comfort.

How is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?

t is completely possible to heal Plantar Fasciitis, and there are a wide range of safe, proven treatment options available. Often, a combination of treatments is recommended.

Mild cases usually respond to conservative, non-invasive remedies, such as:

• Footwear Improvements, to appropriately support your foot type, body type and activities.

• Oral medications, to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

• Icing, to reduce inflammation.

• Stretching Exercises, to improve flexibility, stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the foot.

• Custom Orthotic devices, to properly distribute pressure across your feet more evenly, correct any structural abnormalities, and reduce tension and strain on the plantar fascia.

• Weight loss, to relieve unnecessary strain and pressure on the feet.

• Physical Therapy, to improve flexibility, stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the foot.

• Strapping, with a special elastic tape, to reduce swelling and pain, and increase blood flow and mobility.

For more severe cases, a more invasive approach may be required. Treatment options include:

• Injection Therapy, to reduce inflammation and pain.

• MLS Laser Therapy or “Multi-wave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy,” that uses powerful light energy to stimulate cellular renewal, diminish inflammation, and promote faster healing

• Shockwave Therapy, that uses powerful energy vibrations to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and provides quick, long-lasting results with just one treatment

• Surgery, or “fasciotomy”, to release part of the tight plantar fascia

Shockwave Therapy has shown to be incredibly successful for patients with chronic conditions. The many benefits of this groundbreaking procedure include:

• Completely painless during the procedure

• Takes only 20 minutes to perform

• Involves no medications or downtime

• Improvements are noticeable within 24 hours following treatment

• Requires only one treatment for

• Proven to provide long-lasting relief

Surgery is generally considered a last resort for the most severe cases, when no other type of care works, and symptoms persist. The procedure is considered highly delicate and has a certain level of risk, so it is extremely important that it is performed by a surgeon with considerable experience and expertise with this surgery.

What treatment is right for me?

How your plantar fasciitis is treated depends upon your current condition, medical history, and lifestyle needs. Dr. Kelly Geoghan, a board-certified podiatrist with extensive advanced training and decades of experience, will listen carefully to your concerns and needs, answer all your questions, perform a physical exam, and conduct any necessary tests. She will then work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to address your condition, eliminate your heel pain, and enable you to resume your daily activities in comfort.

How can I Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?

The best way to lower your risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis is to support and strengthen the muscles and tendons that support the foot. This starts with

• always wear properly fitting, supportive footwear

• exercising and stretching the muscles and tendons in your feet

• maintaining a healthy weight

These adjustments in your lifestyle can go a long way toward easing tension on your foot and heel, and improving the overall health of your feet. Dr. Geoghan can recommend the right stretches and exercises, which may include seated stretches with a towel, toe curls with a towel, towel slides, and standing calf stretches.

Might Plantar Fasciitis go Away on its Own?

Unfortunately, it is unlikely for Plantar fasciitis to go away on its own. Some level of intervention, such as lifestyle changes and/or some level of treatment, is almost always required.

Remember, you do not have to live with foot and heel pain! In fact, ignoring your pain can quickly compound the damage and pain. That is why it is critical to have your condition properly diagnosed and treated by a well-trained, reputable, experienced podiatrist.

Dr. Kelly Geoghan is a board-certified podiatrist with elite training, extensive experience, and skilled expertise in caring for patients with plantar fasciitis and wide range of other conditions of the foot and ankle.

Take the first step towards a happier, healthier, more comfortable life today! Contact us online or call 410.753.4422 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to meeting you!