Plantar Fasciitis

OPA treats a wide variety of foot & ankle conditions and offers comprehensive treatment options — including many non-surgical solutions.

Meet Our Foot & Ankle Specialists

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that connects the heel to the front of the foot. The plantar fascia is important because it supports the foot’s arch. Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of lower foot pain.

Common Causes:

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia. By nature, the plantar fascia evenly distributes stress on the foot. Too much stress can cause minor tears and inflammation.

- Repetitive high impact activities and exercises
- New exercises and activities
- Tight calf muscles
- Being overweight/obese
- A high arch

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include:

- A sharp burning pain
- Pain is usually worse in the mornings, sitting down for a prolonged period of time and after exercise
- Greater pain after exercise or activity

When you arrive for your initial consultation, Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) our foot specialist will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

When diagnosing an Achilles injury, the OPA specialist will provide:

- - A medical, injury, and symptom history review
  - A physical examination
  - Multiple view x-rays or MRI
Once an official diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan is prescribed. Treatment plans decrease symptoms as quickly as possible.

Common Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatment options relieve plantar fasciitis pain. Numerous treatment options are included in an OPA foot specialist’s customized treatment plan, including:

RICE

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation relieves pain and inflammation.

NSAIDs

Oral and topical medications that decrease inflammation and pain.

Physical Therapy

One of OPA’s onsite physical therapist prescribes and monitors strengthening and stretching exercises.

Surgery is rarely needed to treat plantar fasciitis. A plantar fascia release may be performed to treat very severe plantar fasciitis that does not improve after one year of nonsurgical treatment. The OPA foot specialists relieve plantar fascia pain as quickly as possible.

At OPA, our Board-Certified and Fellowship Trained Foot Specialists are experts in diagnosing and treating Plantar Fasciitis.