Plantar Fasciitis Doctor Marina Del Ray, CA

Find Relief From Heel Pain With Our Marina Del Ray, CA Plantar Fasciitis Doctor

Plantar fasciitis is one of the primary causes of heel pain. It begins with inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs along the base of the foot and connects the front of the foot to the heel bones. This is the largest ligament in your foot. It provides support for the arch and acts as a natural shock absorber as you walk. When this ligament is over-stressed or inflamed, it can tear, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Luckily, plantar fasciitis is very treatable and usually won’t require surgery. Our Marina Del Ray, CA plantar fasciitis doctor can diagnose and treat your condition right here, in our clinic.

The podiatric team at SoCal Sports Podiatry provides comprehensive foot and ankle injury treatment. We specialize in common and uncommon causes of foot and ankle pain, deformities, and chronic medical conditions. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis will only get worse, and eventually, it may be too swollen or the tendon too damaged for you to walk. Don’t put off vital medical care for your foot. Call our offices today for a new patient appointment.

Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis

The primary cause of plantar fasciitis is too much pressure on the foot and heel. Repeated force can cause the ligament to become inflamed; without rest, off your feet, the inflammation worsens. Any excessive pressure on the heel can cause plantar fasciitis, but if you consistently wear high heels and walk on hard surfaces, like tile or marble, you stand a high risk of developing this condition.

People with flat feet are also at a higher risk of developing plantar fascia inflammation because they cause uneven weight distribution when walking. If you’re overweight, you may also be at a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis due to the additional weight and pressure on your ligaments.

One of the first symptoms most people notice about an inflamed plantar fascia is a stabbing pain close to their heel. This pain is usually worse in the morning when they take their first steps. The pain may decrease as they continue walking, although it can intensify if they stand or walk for a long period of time. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to more complications, such as knee, hip, and back problems, as the inflamed tendon can cause an abnormal gait.

How We Diagnose And Treat Plantar Fasciitis

We start with a physical exam and review of your medical history, regular activity, and exercise habits. This includes a gait analysis to determine if the inflammation has caused you to walk abnormally. Diagnostic imaging tests, such as an MRI or X-ray, may also be necessary to determine the extent of the damage and check for pinched nerves or a stress fracture.

Next, we develop treatment, which may include rest, elevation, and custom orthotics to provide better cushioning for your foot and support for the arch, or a splint at night that can stretch your foot and calf muscles to help reduce the pain and tension in the ligament. We may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce the inflammation and alleviate pain.

If minimally invasive treatment isn’t successful, then we may recommend one or more of the following:

• Steroid injections
• Prescription medications
• Specific stretching exercises
• Physical therapy
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

Surgery is our last report, as we strive to treat your condition with minimally invasive procedures.

Book Your Appointment Today

If you have severe heel pain that interferes with your daily life, please visit SoCal Sports Podiatry. We provide expert care for plantar fasciitis in adults, children, and seniors. Call us today to schedule an appointment with our Marina Del Ray plantar fasciitis doctor.