Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of painful heels, and it can make walking a problem. With rapid, targeted treatment, however, patients have an excellent chance of healing and regaining full mobility. The medical team at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey and serving all of Union county, Morris county, Middlesex county, and Somerset county including the surrounding towns of Cranford, Garwood, Clark, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Springfield, Summit, Chatham, Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Livingston, Union, Edison, Woodbridge, and Elizabeth, uses a range of innovative and effective treatments to reduce inflammation and heal the affected tissues in patients with plantar fasciitis, so if you’re experiencing heel pain, call the clinic nearest you today or book an appointment online. 908-588-2311

For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful heel condition that originates in the plantar fascia, a thick band of fibrous tissue that connects your heels to your toes along the sole of your foot, supporting the arch. If the plantar fascia becomes inflamed it causes an intense pain that’s most noticeable in the bottom of the heel.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most distinctive symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of your heel that may spread into the arch. The pain of plantar fasciitis often worsens after a rest period, for example when getting up from being seated, and is often at its worst when getting out of bed.

Some patients find that plantar fasciitis pain subsides once they have been using their foot for a few minutes, although the pain can return after more extended periods of exercise and walking can become most uncomfortable. You may also notice a degree of swelling in the heel and possibly the arch as well.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis develops due to excessive strain on the plantar fascia. In some cases, this is due to the conformation of your feet, so people with high arches or flat feet are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis. The condition is also brought on by:

  • Wearing ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear
  • Carrying an excess of bodyweight
  • Standing up for long periods
  • Walking on hard, unforgiving terrain

If you have any of these risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis, it’s even more important that you look after your feet and give them adequate support. You should also rest your feet regularly, as putting too much strain on them can cause a number of other painful foot problems as well as plantar fasciitis.

What treatments are available for plantar fasciitis?

Simple self-care treatments can ease the pain and inflammation in the early stages of developing plantar fasciitis, including:

  • Using ice packs or cooling gels to help reduce inflammation
  • Using arch supports or insoles that support the arches
  • Resting your heel to encourage healing
  • Wearing shoes with a slight heel to relieve pressure
  • Avoiding walking barefoot

If these remedies aren’t improving your heel pain, don’t delay seeking help as the earlier you start receiving the appropriate treatment, the better the prognosis. The specialist team at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine use the most up-to-date treatment methods to reduce the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis, including:

Tenjet Tenotomy

These therapies make use of the body’s innate healing response by stimulating the regenerative process in the plantar fascia.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

The platelets in PRP are an excellent source of naturally-occurring growth factors, accelerating healing in the plantar fascia.

Lipogems: Adipose/Fat therapy

Lipogems therapy involves harvesting fat from the patient and injecting it into the plantar fascia to protect and cushion it during the healing process.

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, call Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine today, or book an appointment online for a comprehensive treatment plan.