The adult foot is a complicated part of the body with many tendons, ligaments and bones. One of the most common foot complaints is heel pain. The most common cause of heel pain in adults is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia (a ligament connecting the heel to the toes that fans out under the bottom of the foot). This condition can be seen in people with either flattened or high arches and risk factors include obesity, standing for long periods of time, and certain exercises.

Most people with plantar fasciitis complain of pain when taking the first step in the morning as well as pain when standing, after sitting for long periods of time. Sometimes the pain is restricted to the heel area and sometimes it can fan out along the bottom of the foot. Luckily, treatment is typically non-surgical. Your podiatrist may recommend rest and ice to help with pain, stretching, custom orthotics, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections. If none of the above relieve pain, surgery can be a last resort. This may entail cutting a small part of the plantar fascia and sometimes can even be done utilizing a minimally invasive technique with a small camera. Don’t let heel pain slow you down.

Call Quality Foot Care today at 215-230-9707 to Visit with Doylestown’s community podiatrists. We will be happy to discuss the condition in detail with you and get you back on your feet!