Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis

Are you greeted with searing heel and foot pain with your first few steps in the morning? It’s more than likely that you’re joining the two million other Americans who are dealing with plantar fasciitis. To get relief, Mark Matey, DPM, at Florida Foot and Ankle provides comprehensive plantar fasciitis and heel pain treatments to patients in the Jacksonville and Palm Coast, Florida, areas. To put an end to plantar fasciitis pain, call one of the three locations or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.

request an appointment

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a problem that affects your plantar fascia, a tough ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heels to your toes, which provides crucial support for your arches. With plantar fasciitis, this connective tissue develops tiny tears that lead to inflammation — and the incredible pain that’s the hallmark of the condition.

Plantar fasciitis pain largely comes on in the morning with your first few steps, or after a long period of inactivity. This is because the inflammation causes your plantar fascia to tighten, so when you stand up and stretch the tissue, you’re met with pain until the tissue stretches out again.

Making matters more difficult, as your plantar fasciitis detaches from your heel, bone spurs can develop. While these spurs aren’t responsible for the pain, they can become problematic if they’re large enough.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

There are many factors that contribute to plantar fasciitis, chief among them:

  • Stresses on your plantar fascia (such as running)
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Carrying extra weight
  • High arches or flat feet

Another leading contributor is jobs that keep you on your feet for a large part of the day.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

The good news is that Dr. Matey offers a number of noninvasive or minimally invasive treatments that are highly effective at resolving plantar fasciitis. Depending upon your unique situation, Dr. Matey may recommend one, or more, of the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Orthotics (arch supports and heel cushions)
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Night splints
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Regenerative medicine

For difficult and treatment-resistant cases, Dr. Matey also offers the NeuroTherm® procedure, which is a pain management technique using nerve ablation. As well, there are surgical solutions, which Dr. Matey may recommend if you’ve exhausted all other treatment avenues for more than 12 months.

These solutions include releasing your plantar fascia or lengthening your calf muscle. These situations are very rare, and most cases are resolved through nonsurgical treatments.

If you’re suffering from heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, call one of the three Florida Foot and Ankle locations or use the online booking tool to set up an appointment.