Plantar Fasciitis
Southern Illinois Family Foot Care
Brian Lee, DPM
Podiatrist located in Mount Vernon, IL
Plantar fasciitis foot pain can become so severe that you’re unable to complete your daily activities or participate in the things you enjoy. At Southern Illinois Family Foot Care in Mount Vernon, Illinois, you can meet with leading podiatrist Brian Lee, DPM. Since Dr. Lee specializes in advanced plantar fasciitis treatment, you can find relief starting with your first appointment. Book your plantar fasciitis evaluation by using the online scheduling system or by calling the office.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?
You have a long band of connective tissues that run across the bottom of your foot and support your arch. This band is called the “plantar fascia.” When your plantar fascia becomes inflamed — which is known as plantar fasciitis — you’re likely going to experience:
- Stabbing foot pain
- Pain after long periods of standing
- Discomfort after getting up from sitting
Most plantar fasciitis pain occurs in your heel, along with the bottom of your foot. In many cases, you’re going to notice the most pain and discomfort first thing in the morning, or shortly after you take your first steps upon waking
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is supposed to act as a shock-absorbing band of tissues. Once pressure and tension start becoming too much for these soft tissues, you gradually develop small tears throughout your plantar fascia.
In some cases, this is just a regular part of aging, as plantar fasciitis is most common for men and women between the ages of 40-60. But you’re also more likely to struggle with plantar fasciitis due to:
- Being overweight
- Being flat-footed
- Working on your feet all day
- Participating in specific sports or exercise
Since plantar fasciitis can affect your quality of life and keep you from doing the things you enjoy, it’s important to seek treatment before your condition worsens.
Which plantar fasciitis treatment is best?
Your treatment plan could include several different solutions. Dr. Lee often focuses on teaching you stretches and strengthening exercises you can do elongate your plantar fascia and resolve this agonizing foot pain. You might also benefit from getting anti-inflammatory steroid injections or from wearing night splints to prevent ligament strains that occur during sleep.
Dr. Lee can even fit you for custom support orthotics by using state-of-the-art 3D scanners and cameras to capture your specific foot shape. This advanced Hollywood technology ensures your orthotics support your arch and foot in just the right places.
As a last resort, if you haven’t found relief from conservative treatments, Dr. Lee suggests plantar fasciitis surgery. This procedure — known as a plantar fascia release — involves releasing part of your plantar fascia ligament from your heel bone to minimize tension and pain.
Schedule an appointment at Southern Illinois Family Foot Care to get treated for plantar fasciitis right away. Book through the online scheduler, or call the clinic.