Overview

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Plantar fasciitis treatment in Fort Myers, FL at Gardner Orthopedics can help you find lasting relief from heel pain. The hallmark heel pain of plantar fasciitis can hamper your daily activities and become a nagging concern. At Gardner Orthopedics in Fort Myers, Florida, the friendly medical group provides a range of effective treatments for plantar fasciitis, including physical therapy, steroid injections, and shockwave therapy. Quality healthcare involves state-of-the-art technology and equipment and the caring nature and prowess of dedicated physicians. If you're dealing with heel pain in Fort Myers or the surrounding area, call 239-277-7070 to schedule an appointment with Gardner Orthopedics today.

When to See a Doctor for Plantar Fasciitis in Fort Myers

Plantar fasciitis often shows up as sharp heel pain when you take your first steps in the morning, or after sitting for a while. For many people, the pain eases up once they get moving, but that doesn't mean the issue has resolved. If your heel pain is sticking around for more than a couple of weeks, getting worse, or making it harder to stand, walk, or exercise, it's usually worth seeing a doctor. Plantar fasciitis tends to respond best to early treatment, and there are several non-surgical options that can help. The team at Gardner Orthopedics can help you figure out what's going on and what treatment fits your situation. Call 239-277-7070 to schedule an appointment.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Fort Myers, FL Q & A

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory health condition caused by the degenerative irritation of the plantar fascia ligament in your foot.

The plantar fascia refers to the thick band of tissue connecting your heel bone and your toes. This tissue band acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot by working with your surrounding ligaments and tendons.

Plantar fasciitis is more prevalent in runners, but people of all ages with varying activity levels can potentially develop the inflammatory condition.

Being obese or overweight increases your risk of getting plantar fasciitis since the excess pressure can cause an inflammatory response along with heel stiffness and pain.

If you have plantar fasciitis, you may find it difficult to stand for long periods. Sometimes, plantar warts are a complication of plantar fasciitis as excess pressure on the tendon causes a callus to form and plantar warts to grow inwards.

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your provider conducts a physical exam to check for tenderness and pain in your foot, and to pinpoint the precise location of your pain. You may be asked to perform certain stretches to test the health and strength of your plantar fascia ligaments.

At Gardner Orthopedics, you can expect in-depth consultations and personalized care. Your provider might order X-rays of your foot to determine if a stress fracture or another issue is contributing to your symptoms.

Your provider may suggest at-home methods first to treat your plantar fasciitis, recommending rest, avoiding certain physical activities, and icing the area.

If your plantar fasciitis persists and the at-home remedies aren’t successful, your provider might suggest:

  • Night Splints
  • Custom orthotics
  • Heel pads
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Platelet-rich plasma therapy
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Oral medications and injections, such as steroids and anti-inflammatories

Your provider gives you valuable information on healthy lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and stress management to lower your inflammation and any high levels of stress hormones that may be worsening your condition.

For more severe cases of plantar fasciitis surgery might be recommended. Typically, the surgery is a plantar fascia release — the removal of a portion of your plantar fascia ligament from your heel bone.

If you’re dealing with heel pain or think you may have plantar fasciitis, call Gardner Orthopedics or book online today.

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