Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

Lincoln Park Podiatry

Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Lincoln Park | Lakeview, Chicago, IL

Plantar fasciitis is often the cause of sharp, stabbing heel and arch pain that strikes with your first step in the morning. Dr. Michael Williams is a skilled podiatrist who leads the team at Lincoln Park Podiatry with offices in the Chicago communities of Lincoln Park and Lakeview. They accurately diagnose the underlying causes of your discomfort, design a treatment plan to relieve symptoms, and get you moving again, pain-free. Call today for an appointment or try the patient-friendly, 24/7 online scheduling service.

773-467-7421

Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (pronounced plan-ter fash-ee-eye-tus) refers to pain and inflammation caused by physical stress to the plantar fascia. This band of tough, fibrous tissue is located on the bottom of your foot. It supports your arch and connects your heel bone to your toes.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Although the plantar fascia travels completely across the bottom of your heel, the most common site of discomfort is at the center or front of the heel. It’s typically described as a burning, tingling, or sharp and stabbing pain that occurs after you’ve been off your feet for a time and then attempt to put weight on them.

The symptoms are often felt first thing in the morning with getting out of bed but can develop throughout the day, essentially whenever you attempt to stand and walk. This happens because the plantar fascia contracts when you rest your feet. When you “plant” your feet to stand, the plantar fascia has to stretch to its full length, and that causes pain.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar may result from an injury sustained during an accident. It’s also commonly related to:

Wearing improper shoes
Standing or walking on concrete for extended periods of time
Increased activity when you start a new exercise program or perhaps take a vacation that includes a lot of walking

What are the treatments for plantar fasciitis?

As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, Dr. Williams seeks to decrease your symptoms as well as understand the actual cause of the stress so he can develop long-term solutions to your plantar fasciitis.

Treatments vary according to the severity, frequency, and cause of your symptoms. Dr. Williams may recommend:

Supporting the plantar fascia through padding and taping
Medications to relieve inflammation and discomfort
Ultrasound therapy to increase circulation
Stretching and other physical therapy interventions

For persistent or severe symptoms, your doctor may suggest an AmnioFix® injection, which contains natural growth factors that reduce inflammation and inhibit scar tissue formation.

You may also be a candidate for Koby Isogard®. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that quickly resolves plantar fasciitis pain in about 96% of cases. It’s done in the office and takes approximately 10 minutes to perform.

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