All About Plantar Fasciitis: Symptoms, Treatment Options, and Prevention

Your feet rely on their own support system. That includes the plantar fascia — a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This tissue connects your heel to your toes, supporting your arch. 

As you move throughout your day, every step puts pressure on the plantar fascia. Unsurprisingly, the plantar fascia can cause issues.  

If you develop plantar fasciitis, our team at Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute can help. When you visit our American Fork or Saratoga Springs, Utah offices, we evaluate your foot and help you find the proper treatment to ease your pain. 

So, how do you know if you have this condition? Let’s take a closer look at plantar fasciitis — and what you can do about it. 

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

The most telling sign of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain at the bottom of your heel. This pain usually peaks after periods of inactivity. For example, you might feel it most when you first get out of bed in the morning. 

Furthermore, you may notice other symptoms, like the following:

• Swelling around your heel
• A tight-feeling Achilles tendon (along the back of your heel and up your calf)
• Stiffness

Wearing shoes with ample cushioning can improve your heel pain. You might also notice that your discomfort abates as you move around. 

Your treatment options

Our team tailors your plantar fasciitis treatment to you. In some cases, you can get relief with a combination of conservative treatments like:

• Adding custom orthotics to your shoes
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Massaging and stretching the area
• Periodically applying ice packs
• Rest
• Wearing more comfortable shoes

If you’re still experiencing heel pain after a couple of weeks of ample rest and these treatment options, our team offers more involved treatments like corticosteroid injections or extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT) therapy. 

Some people need surgery to correct an issue with their plantar fascia, but that is very rare. 

How to prevent it from returning

Plantar fasciitis can recur if you don’t take care of your feet. Your footwear plays a significant role. Wear supportive and comfortable shoes. Replace your exercise shoes whenever they get worn out. 

Adding stretching and strengthening exercises can strengthen your plantar fascia, protecting it against further strain. 

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight also makes a difference. Fewer pounds means less strain on your plantar fascia as you go about your day. 

If you have stabbing heel pain, don’t wait to contact our team at the Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute by calling (801) 756-4200. We work with you to develop a plan to bring you relief — and to prevent future plantar fasciitis flare-ups.