What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Have you ever felt a forceful pull at the back of your foot? Plantar fasciitis is a common occurrence for many… and fortunately something which can be treated easily! Approximately two people are diagnosed with this exact condition each year.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue, known as the plantar fascia, which supports the foot becomes inflamed and irritated. The plantar fascia is located underneath the skin at the bottom of our feet. The purpose of the plantar fascia is to connect our heels to the front of our feet in order to support the foot’s arch.

Who is most at risk for developing plantar fasciitis?

While plantar fasciitis does not develop from one single cause, risk factors are, but are not limited to, the following:

* Obesity
* Highly-active or athletic individuals
* Highly-arched feet
* New athletes

It should be noted that while many associate plantar fasciitis with heel spurs, this is actually not the case. While certain individuals with heel spurs may develop plantar fasciitis, there is no guaranteed correlation between those who have heel spurs and those who ultimately develop plantar fasciitis.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are, but are not limited to, the following:

* Feeling of increased tenderness in the foot, specifically directly in front of the heel bone
* Pain that worsens when flexing the foot
* A sense of limited mobility in the ankle

Fortunately, for approximately 9-in-10 patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis will need no surgical treatment for healing. In most cases, the condition will be fully healed within a year of its diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will likely recommend rest, ice, and some form of physical therapy in order to ensure full recovery.

If you would like to learn more about Theramotion’s work with patients suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, please contact us at 718-279-9800. Additionally, you can fill out contact information on our Contact Us page and we will get back to you.