Plantar fasciitis (PF) can cause excruciating pain in your foot that affects your ability to perform everyday functions or participate in sports or exercise. A thick band of connective tissue runs along the sole of your foot from your heel to the front of the foot. This band is the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this band of connective tissue becomes inflamed, which can happen for several reasons. Our team of skilled podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists are very experienced at treating plantar fasciitis pain in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is generally considered an injury resulting from repetitive overuse. Excessive strain on the foot can come from greater loads than the plantar fascia can withstand and provide support for. Or, when you place an average amount of load on your foot for long periods, this can also result in the plantar fascia overworking and becoming too stressed. However, other things may be at play leading to plantar fasciitis, particularly relating to the mechanics and anatomy of the foot.
There is no direct genetic link involved in this condition, in that there is no 'plantar fasciitis' gene that is passed from parent to child. But what can be passed on by family members are structural abnormalities both in the foot and in other parts of the skeletal system, which can cause plantar fasciitis. One example is inheriting flat feet, which cancels out part of the function of the plantar fascia to support the arch of the foot. Some additional causes and risk factors may be:
- A sudden increase in activity levels
- Age - years of stress placed on the foot without adequate support may cause PF. This condition is particularly common between the ages of 40 to 60.
- Repetitive high-impact activity and exercise
- Frequently walking or running on hard surfaces
- Footwear that does not provide enough support
- Tight calf muscles
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Abnormally high arches of your feet
- Certain medical conditions such as arthritis or Ehler's Danos syndrome. The latter causes your ligaments to be excessively lax.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Inflammation of the plantar fascia can cause a variety of symptoms. An accurate diagnosis by our team in Williamsburg, VA of plantar fasciitis is the first step in determining the best treatment plan. Some symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:
- Heel pain
- Pain when first stepping out of bed in the morning
- Pain in your foot when standing up and walking after resting
- Pain in your foot after activities, as opposed to during
- A tight and painful Achilles tendon
- Pain that lasts for several months
Contact us
Many treatments are available to treat your plantar fasciitis in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA with our team Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists. Schedule a consultation with us by calling our Williamsburg office at (757) 220-3311 or our Hampton location at (757) 224-7605.