Five Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Your Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the planter fascia tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot.  This tendon runs from your toes to your heel, and the inflammation of the tendon causes extreme pain throughout the entire foot.  This can decrease a patient’s ability to walk, run, or perform daily activities on their feet, which will diminish their quality of life if left untreated.  Our orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs has helped many patients treat and manage the pain associated with their planter fasciitis, and this often done without the need for surgery.  These are some of the most popular ways to treat plantar fasciitis.

Rest

The first thing you should do when you feel any pain on the bottom of your foot is to rest.  Spend some time off your feet so that you can alleviate the stress that is being placed on your tendon.  Avoid any intense activities, like running or going up and down the stairs, so that you do not continue to exacerbate your pain.

Ice

While you are resting, you should also apply cold compressions and ice packs to the area.  This will alleviate pain by reducing the inflammation of the area.  It may be best to freeze a water bottle and then roll it along the bottom of your foot for roughly 20 minutes until the pain subsides.  You can do this multiple times a day to continue to get relief from the pain.

Wear Supportive Shoes

Are you someone that ditches your shoes at the front door when you get home?  This might be causing more pain and discomfort when you are doing household chores or simply walking around your home.  Wearing supportive shoes with proper arch support and cushioning can alleviate pain by reducing the stress on your tendon.

Stretch

A specialist can provide you with the right stretches and simple exercises that you can do to target the pain in your plantar fascia tendon.  These stretches aim to release the tension in the nearby muscles and alleviate the stress placed on the tendon.   Performing these stretches repeatedly over time can work to reduce pain of your plantar fasciitis.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Many over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications will be suggested to alleviate the pain associated with your plantar fasciitis.  Ibuprofens and naproxen are two of the most common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that will work to reduce the inflammation and pain in your foot.  You may also want to discuss the option of receiving steroid shots from your doctor if the pain continues after these medications.

These are some of the most popular treatment options to mange the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis.  If you suffer from the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact our orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs to seek a professional evaluation and hear about your treatment options today.