What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

Those who experience plantar fasciitis complain of a stabbing pain in the bottom of their foot near the heel. Typically, the pain is most noticeable when the first steps are taken when you first wake up.

• Pain on the bottom of the foot, specifically near the heel
• Pain in your first steps of the day, after long rest periods or long-standing periods
• Significant pain after spending a long time on your feet

What is the Cause Behind Plantar Fasciitis?

            At the bottom of the foot runs a long, thin ligament called the plantar fascia. It is meant to absorb the high stress and strains that are placed on the feet. However, if there is too much pressure, tissues can be torn. Irritation and inflammation are the responses to the repeated stretching and tearing of the facia which then causes heel pain.

Who is at Higher Risk for Plantar Fasciitis?

• Those with flat feet or high arches
• People who have tight Achilles tendons
• Those who wear high-heeled shoes often
• Anyone who spends multiple hours on their feet in a day
• Typically, 40 to 60-year-olds

Ways to Treat Plantar Fasciitis

            Even though there are no clinically proven ways to cure plantar fasciitis, there are a plethora of ways to curb your discomfort.

• Pain Relievers: to relieve the inflammation and pain associated with plantar fasciitis, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can be taken
• Conservative Treatment: most people with plantar fasciitis typically recover with conservative methods such as icing the area, stretching and modifying any activities that cause discomfort
• Physical Therapy: By working with a Physical Therapist, you can stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles Tendon. Another technique that a Physical Therapist might use to ease plantar fasciitis pain is athletic taping. This gives support to the bottom of the foot and has been proven very effective.
• Night Splints: a night splint keeps the ankle in a neutral position while you are sleeping which promotes stretching the lower leg muscles and plantar fascia
• Injections: If conservative methods are unsuccessful, a doctor can inject anti-inflammatory agents into the tender area. This doesn’t heal your heel, but it does mask the pain. Platelet-rich plasma can also be injected utilizing your own blood. This injection promotes tissue healing to the afflicted area.

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His medical team recommended a fusion, but Quinlan wasn’t keen on the procedure or its nearly five-month rehab regimen. Instead, he sought out Premier Orthopaedics foot and ankle surgeon Spencer J. Monaco, DPM, FACFAS, who mainly sees patients in West Chester and Kennett Square, and specializes in total ankle replacement. Most of us know that hips, knees and shoulders can be replaced – but ankles? We’d be hard-pressed to include them in this category. Dr. Monaco says that education can help bring awareness to ankle arthritis, and the good news is something can be done about it. “Painful ankle arthritis continues to rise in both young individuals as well as the active aging population,” he says.

Ankle arthritis most commonly develops from a previous injury that can eventually interfere with day-to-day activities due to pain, swelling and instability. This may explain the downward trend in Quinlan’s golf score.

Orthopaedic surgeons have used 3D printing technology in tandem with certain surgical procedures for nearly a decade. Specially trained doctors work with a third-party manufacturer to print custom artificial bones precisely made to the patient’s measurements. Used in total ankle replacement, the artificial joints produce excellent patient outcomes, preserve range-of-motion and offer significant pain relief.

“This specialized surgery is not for everyone with ankle pain; however, it may be an excellent option for those who have persistent pain with end-stage ankle degenerative joint disease,” Dr. Monaco says.

Quinlan had the procedure, and although his pain took about nine days after the surgery to resolve, he says that knowing what to expect helped him prepare. And Dr. Monaco’s bedside manner was calming and reassuring throughout the entire process. “He spent 45 minutes answering my questions, showed me the printed piece and said ‘this is going to be your new ankle.’ I walked out of the office saying ‘Thank God I got this guy.’ He exuded confidence and has a good personality. I felt very comfortable in his care,” Quinlan says.

Physical therapy is an important part of recovery from any form of joint replacement surgery, and ankle replacement therapy typically lasts 4-6 weeks post-op. Quinlan noticed considerable improvement after completing physical therapy and is happily back in the swing of life – metaphorically speaking.

“As treatment options for ankle arthritis continue to improve, so does the technology used to treat it,” Dr. Monaco says. “Advancements in total ankle replacement, such as 3D-printed instrumentation, continue to improve the overall quality of care surgeons can provide their patients.” Quinlan says he’d recommend the procedure to anyone qualifying for it. “Your life isn’t over when you get older,” he says. “Keep moving.”

To find a Premier Orthopaedics specialist skilled in foot and ankle arthritis, call 1-855-ORTHO24 (1-855-678-4624) or fill out a secure online appointment form.

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If you’re dealing with foot pain, you could be suffering from any one of the many common foot disorders. Read on to learn more about these disorders and find out how you can quickly find pain relief.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common disease that causes the joints of the foot to become inflamed, which results in a stiff, painful feeling. The ends of the bones in your feet are covered in articular cartilage which allows them to slide easily and painlessly against one another. In joints that suffer from arthritis, the cartilage wears away and the bones rub against each other. This results in a great deal of pain for the patient.

Bunions

This deformity occurs in the first metatarsophalangeal joint located at the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused by daily activity that puts continuous stress and pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint. When the first metatarsal bone of the foot begins to turn outward and the big toe points inward, the joint begins to protrude and form a bump on the foot.

While women tend to get bunions more than men, they can happen to anyone. They are not typically hereditary, but they can be passed from one generation to another. Bunions also commonly form on flat feet or feet with low arches.

Hammer Toe

Hammer toe is when the second, third, or fourth toes are bent at the middle joint. This deformity is often caused by wearing shoes that are too tight because pressure builds and forces toes into the bent position. It can also be caused by a muscle imbalance. In this situation the muscles work to straighten out the toe, but when the lack of room within the shoe doesn’t allow them to, the muscles tighten.

This disorder can typically be reversed by wearing roomy shoes that allow the toes to wiggle freely.

Plantar Fasciitis

This disorder causes pain in the bottom of the heel and is one of the most common foot conditions that affects approximately two million patients per year. The band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, called the plantar fascia, becomes irritated, inflamed, and causes pain. Irritation of the plantar fascia is the result of the great deal of stress we put on our feet. Too much pressure can tear the tissues and lead to inflammation and pain.

If you’re dealing with any of these common foot disorders, schedule an appointment with an orthopaedic physician to discuss your treatment options. While non-surgical treatments can be very effective, some cases are too severe and require surgery. Your doctor will help you determine the best course of action for your situation.

For more information about foot pain and treatment options, download our e-book,Pains and Sprains: A Complete Guide to Foot Injuries and Disorders.  

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