There are many reasons why you may be suffering from heel pain, some of them are easier to determine than others, such as a recent injury or stress fracture. But for many who struggle with recurring heel pain, the cause could be a condition called plantar fasciitis. But whatever the reason for your heel pain you should first turn to your local podiatrist in Brick and Howell, NJ, and also serving Jackson, NJ. You can learn more by getting in contact with Dr. Keith Rosenthal and Dr. Julian Sansone of The Foot and Ankle Center.
Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia is a thick ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot, it absorbs pressure whenever you take a step, helping you to walk. But if you have either low arches, flat feet, or very high ones, your foot may not be properly supported and damage your plantar fascia. Obesity as well as jobs or exercise activities that involve a lot of walking or running around on a flat surface could also contribute to the damage.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
In medicine, the term "-itis" is often appended to a word when discussing inflammation or swelling of the affected area. In this case, it's plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia and it can occur due to the above-mentioned situations. The symptoms of the condition, besides noticeable swelling, include redness and pain.
Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis tends to worsen soon after getting up from bed, or after resting or sitting for a period of time. It can lessen as you walk and the ligament is stretched, but it very often returns and can become more and more painful if left untreated.
Heel Pain Treatment in Brick and Howell, NJ, near Jackson, NJ
Your podiatrist can diagnose your foot to determine whether the cause of your heel pain is indeed plantar fasciitis or something else. Non-invasive and non-surgical treatments are typically the first approaches, which can include the use of orthotics to provide your feet with the necessary support and promote healing, as well as physical therapy and other procedures, reach out to the office to learn more. Surgical intervention is only usually reserved for severe cases.
Find relief for your heel pain in Brick and Howell, NJ, and the area of Jackson, NJ, by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Sansone of The Foot and Ankle Center at Howell by dialing (732) 477-0441 for the Brick, NJ, office and (732) 833-2800 for Howell, NJ.