The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, from heel to toe, and controls the step of the foot. Remember that the feet are the load-bearing base of the human body, each side carrying half the weight and propelling it through daily motion. This particular ligament along the sole of the foot is critical to our basic biomechanics and when it is injured it reminds us with pain through one or all of the junctions where it assists in daily motion.
While it is certainly does not bear the strength responsibility of the Achilles tendon (connecting the calf muscles to the heel), the plantar fascia works in tandem with the Achilles tendon to maintain a stepping or running gait and thus the problems with one can directly affect the other. The path of the plantar fascia contributes to foot flexibility, the arch of the foot, and the balance of the body through all of natural stepping.
Confused by the terms and prognosis that you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to investigate your options to address foot pain caused by Plantar Fasciilitis before it leads to more debilitating problems. Dr. Kleis, DPM is respected for his thorough study of every individual’s condition, your personal history and his focus on solving foot problems. Call for a consultation visit and you will be impressed with the non-invasive relief options you may have: (714) 760-4944 to set up an appointment in the Costa Mesa office.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament and it is most commonly associated with pain in the heel(s) but can manifest itself anywhere along the path of the connecting tissue in the pads of the feet. The presence of heel spurs (a bony growth at the bottom of the heel) is sometimes associated with the affliction, but plantar fasciitis can occur without the presence of heel spurs. Likewise the flat-foot condition (where there is no arch in one or both feet) may be a long-range result of uncorrected plantar fasciitis but it is not necessarily a flat-feet pre-condition that makes one susceptible to plantar fasciitis. The condition affects about 1 out of 10 persons at various times in their lives, but does seem more prevalent with age (40-60) and two times more common in women than men.
Other conditions that cause equally painful reactions to the foot and the plantar fascia are:
- Plantar fibromatosis (a uncommon non-malignant thickening of the plantar fascia ligament)
- Psoriatic arthritis (a type of inflammatory arthritis that may affect the plantar fascia as well as other areas of the body’s joints and connective tissue)
- Plantar fascial rupture or full- or partial tear (an uncommon condition affecting the plantar fascia ligament)
Dr. Kleis, DPM has a centrally located Orange County practice that handles all ailments of the foot with progressive non-invasive medical technologies. He has experience in treating plantar fasciitis and more, so call for a consultation visit and see what the relief options you have. Contact (714) 760-4944 to set up an appointment in the Costa Mesa office.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Pains of the foot are no surprise as they bear the load of the entire body standing or in motion. Each individual is different in how their body and their feet stand up to change in routine or duration of activity. Most evident symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Pain in the heel
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Swelling on the heel
- Constant aches in the soft tissue beneath the sole of the foot
Pain may be most intense when you first get out of bed in the morning or any other time you stand up after an extended period of rest. You may notice a decrease in pain as the tissue warms up from activity.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when your strain the plantar fascia ligament beyond its limit. Causes of this strain may include:
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly, toes or heels slipping within
- Exercises that place extra stress on your heel, such as distance running
- Occupations that require standing or walking on hard surfaces for long hours
Variations in foot structure, such as overly flat or high-arched feet, will have different reactions to new shoes or improperly fitted shoes, new daily routines that increase standing or walking time, or changes in behavior. The strain of the ligament can occur in people who are active or sedentary and in both cases may triggered by an excess of activity that agitates the ligament. After beginning a new exercise commitment, challenging a new running path, or pushing the grades of a steeper hiking trail, all people experience muscle or joint soreness in the days following. If the problem persists beyond a couple of days and affects the cushioning tissue of the feet, you might consider a Podiatrist visit to get a diagnosis.
Dr. Kleis, DPM carefully considers the cause of your plantar fasciitis to create a personalized treatment plan to improve your condition. Contact (714) 760-4944 to set up an appointment at the office that is centrally located in Orange County, CA (Costa Mesa). The practice handles all ailments of the foot with caring and progressive non-invasive medical technologies.
How do you diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis?
Every doctor of Podiatry (DPM) or Sports medicine specialist will use X-rays and other diagnostic tests to verify the condition is plantar fasciitis. They may verify whether or not the bones of the feet have shifted in response to the ligament strain. From there, the treatment model is a standard list of recommendations to ease the pain from plantar fasciitis and improve overall recovery time. The behavioral and external suggestions may include exercise modification, stretching and footwear changes (depending mostly on the activities you perform). Medical treatment of the condition includes anti-inflammatory injections and oral medications for discomfort, special bandage wrapping and or compression braces to add support to the foot, and physical therapy/
How Does Dr. Kleis Treat Plantar Fasciitis ?
Dr. Kleis, DPM focuses on tailoring a manageable plan for recovery from plantar fasciitis. As the first part of your diagnosis, Dr. Kleis performs a thorough physical exam and review of your medical history. He may take an X-ray to check for heel spurs or rule out other possible sources of heel pain.
After confirming the problem is in fact a strain to the plantar fascia and not a subset of another more severe condition like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, Dr. Kleis DPM creates a personalized treatment plan to address your case. Depending on your case, plantar fasciitis treatment may include:
- Shockwave or acoustic wave therapy
- Low level laser therapy
- Oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medication
- Gait analysis
- Switching to shoes that fit properly, perhaps including orthotic devices (shoe inserts)
- Physical therapy, stretching, deep tissue massage
- Taping the foot or use of compression socks to reduce stress by adding support
Dr. Kleis is one of the only doctors in southern CA to offer both shockwave or acoustic-wave therapies as well as low level laser therapy for plantar fasciitis. These treatments are what many professional sports teams use for their elite athletes. You deserve the same level of treatment. Remember that 1 in 10 people will suffer from plantar fasciitis, and they are not all athletes or older; you need to consider the best steps toward recovery that align with your goals for living.
Centrally located in Orange County, CA, Dr. Kleis will take on your condition as seriously as you do by doing all that’s possible to prevent you from prolonged discomfort and pain. It doesn’t matter if he is your second or third opinion on the conditions with which you suffer; it’s guaranteed that his assessment will be comprehensive and definitive and provide a targeted therapy approach that may just correct the condition without surgery. The goal is to see the full picture of your condition, resolve it, and work to eliminate its return. The facilities and technology in the Costa Mesa allow Dr. Kleis and his staff to accomplish small miracles by using non-invasive correction methods for ankle and foot problems like plantar fasciitis.
If you suspect you have some type of nagging discomfort that affects your foot or ankle, call or book an appointment online with Dr. Kleis today. It is your option to remain in pain and discomfort or to consult one of the most highly regarded foot and ankle specialists at his centrally located office in Costa Mesa, CA. Dr. Kleis’ practice utilizes several state-of-the-art non-invasive therapies for comfortable and effective treatments of the foot and ankle. Don’t forget to call (714) 760-4944 to set up a targeted consultation appointment in the Costa Mesa office. It is important that you weigh all your options for treatment.
To find relief from foot swelling, heel pain, or any foot or ankle based discomfort you are encouraged to book an appointment online today.