Foot & Ankle Center of Arizona

What are the Best Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Feet are the foundation of our body and when they are injured, things don’t always work the way they should. Of course, you always want to have pain free feet, especially when it comes to the plantar fascia since it is the structure responsible for the natural arch of your foot. When this is irritated, it can be debilitating.

Plantar Fasciitis

plantar fasciitis

Irritation and injury to the plantar fascia is known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is the thick band of connective tissues that travels along the bottom of your foot and stretches between the toes and heels as you put weight on it. If it becomes painful to walk or the area is irritated, you may be forced to keep off of your feet for weeks for it to heal.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can include a stabbing or painful sensation in the heel or along the foot that worsens over time. This is usually worse in the morning, preventing many people from wanting to get out of bed since it hurts to put weight and pressure on the feet. 

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

The causes of plantar fasciitis can differ for each patient. Common causes include repetitive stress, excessive tension, inflammation or irritation.  Sometimes causing the tissues to have small tears which cause the injury to worsen. 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options

To find relief from plantar fasciitis, first start with rest and applying ice to the area. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to help deal with the pain. Your podiatrist Scottsdale might even require you to wear special orthotics to help with the irritation or even wear a splint to prevent the pain from worsening. Physical therapy has also been proven to be an effective treatment option. However, severe plantar fasciitis cases will require surgery to help restore the natural movement of your foot and to get any relief from pain.

Keep in mind that this surgery will usually require at least a few weeks for full recovery. Treatment options offered by a plantar fasciitis doctor Scottsdale are going to range and all depend on the severity of the case and the patient. This is why it is always best to meet with a podiatrist to be examined to find the correct treatment option for your plantar fasciitis.

Regenerative Medicine Options

Another popular treatment option for many painful foot conditions is regenerative medicine techniques. For faster recovery, regenerative medicine can treat intense foot and ankle pain. Stem Cell Therapy is a simple procedure that will produce cartilage, helping to relieve pain and discomfort. Shockwave Therapy is a quick treatment, with each session taking only about 5 to 10 minutes. Minimal maintenance is needed after shockwave therapy and the recovery time is much faster than other treatment methods.

There are virtually no risks or side effects with shockwave therapy and the results are seen immediately. In fact, over 80 percent of patients have reported being pain-free after just 4 weeks. PRP injection is another popular form of regenerative medicine. This promotes natural healing of the tissue and is a much easier process than surgery, delivering remarkable results.

Regenerative medicine also tends to be more affordable and comes with less recovery time. Also, some patients who undergo traditional surgery can see the condition come back after time, whereas with regenerative medicine, the condition is less likely to reoccur.

The Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona

At the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we offer cutting edge podiatry to help you find the relief you need with positive influence. We offer a number of different treatment options, all performed by a licensed, experienced and knowledgeable podiatrist. From regenerative medicine to surgical procedures, all procedures are safe and effective. The entire staff at the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona will provide you with only the finest foot and ankle care to get you back on your feet.