Plantar Fasciitis in Centreville, VA
Why do I have pain in the bottom of my foot?
Discomfort in the bottom of your foot that leaves you in agonizing pain is often a sign of plantar fasciitis. This means that the ligaments that support the arch of your feet become strained, which sometimes leads to small tears. You’re left with inflammation and swelling, which makes it painful to stand and walk. The exact cause of plantar fasciitis isn’t always known, but it can stem from:
- Rolling your feet inward while walking
- Having tight calf muscles
- Having a tight Achilles tendon
- Being overweight
- Having high arches or flat feet
Can I get relief from plantar fasciitis?
Yes. Plantar fasciitis doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all cure though. Dr. Hurst might try several options to see what works best for you. Rest and relaxation to allow inflammation to heal are always important, although not always feasible for everyone. Dr. Hurst can teach you some stretching exercises that you can do throughout the day to minimize your plantar fasciitis pain.
You might be a good candidate for custom orthotics for your shoes, which Dr. Hurst can have designed for you. If you still don’t get relief, you might need splints that you wear while you sleep. Some men and women also benefit from steroid injections in their heel. After about 6-12 months of trying alternative options, Dr. Hurst might recommend surgery to fix the ligaments in your foot, but this is always an absolute last resort.
Is plantar fasciitis difficult to diagnose?
Not usually, although Dr. Hurst will likely get an X-ray of your foot early on, just to rule out any stress fractures. During your exam, Dr. Hurst will put you through a series of tests, including watching you walk or stand. He’ll also want to know what makes your pain worse, or better, and if your pain is more agonizing at a certain time of day.
Because Dr. Hurst will want to know all the details of your foot pain, it can be helpful to write down your symptoms for a few days beforehand. This way you’ll be able to describe exactly what you’re going through, so Dr. Hurst can get to the root of your pain and treat you right away.