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Up to 1 in 10 adults have plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury that causes chronic heel pain. At Integrated Pain Consultants in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona, Nikesh Seth, MD, and the team offer minimally invasive treatment for plantar fasciitis. Depending on your needs, they might recommend healthy lifestyle changes, corticosteroid injections, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Call the nearest office today to schedule a plantar fasciitis appointment, or book online.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
My heel hurts. Could it be plantar fasciitis?
Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including trauma, overuse, and wearing poor-fitting shoes. It usually improves with at-home treatments, but if your pain continues or worsens, it’s essential to determine the cause.
There isn’t a cure for plantar fasciitis, but diagnosis and treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and help you return to your favorite activities.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis symptoms include the following:
- Stabbing heel pain
- Pain that extends to the arch of your foot
- A tight Achilles tendon
- Swelling near or around your heel
Anyone can experience plantar fasciitis, but it’s most common in athletes, runners, and people who work on their feet.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia –– a thick tissue band that runs from your heel to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot and plays an essential role in movements like walking.
The plantar fascia experiences damage over the years because of general wear-and-tear. The damage makes it swell, causing pain and mobility problems.
Do pain medicine specialists diagnose plantar fasciitis?
The Integrated Pain Consultants team doesn’t diagnose plantar fasciitis, but they regularly partner with local podiatrists (foot doctors) who do.
If your podiatrist determines you have plantar fasciitis, they can refer you to Integrated Pain Consultants for a pain management evaluation.
During a pain management evaluation, your Integrated Pain Consultants provider reviews your medical records and results from recent imaging tests to assess the severity of the inflammation and determine the best treatment type.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
The Integrated Pain Consultants team uses a minimally invasive and patient-centered approach to treat plantar fasciitis pain. They might recommend:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Rest
- Icing your heel
- Massage
- Physical therapy
- Stretching
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT)
It may take several types of treatment to provide lasting relief, depending on the severity of your symptoms. The team monitors your progress at regular checkups and makes adjustments as necessary.
Call the nearest Integrated Pain Consultants office today to receive treatment for plantar fasciitis, or book your appointment online.