Plantar Fasciitis Specialist
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VP Foot & Ankle Specialist
Aaron Raestas, DPM
Podiatry located in Garfield Ridge, Chicago, IL & Printer's Row, South Loop, Chicago, IL
If you’re among the 10% of people who experience plantar fasciitis at some point in their life, the heel pain might stop you from doing some of the exercises and hobbies you enjoy. At VP Foot & Ankle Specialist in the Printer’s Row and the Garfield Ridge neighborhoods of Chicago, Illinois, Aaron Raestas, DPM, specializes in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis. With successful treatment, you can stand, walk, and run with less discomfort. Book your evaluation for plantar fasciitis by calling the nearest office or booking online today.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
What is plantar fasciitis?
If you have heel pain, plantar fasciitis is one of the most likely causes. It’s an inflammatory and irritable condition affecting the plantar fascia ligaments, which run along the undersides of your feet and connect your heel bones to your toes. They also support the arches of your feet.
Like many types of inflammation, plantar fasciitis symptoms are usually the most severe in the morning. Contrary to what you might expect, the pain lessens as you walk around and start your day. However, if you stand for a long time, it can return in full force.
Am I at risk of getting plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can affect anyone, but your risk increases as you age. At VP Foot & Ankle Specialist, Dr. Raestas assesses you for these other factors, which indicate a higher-than-average risk of developing plantar fasciitis:
- Obesity
- Shoes that lack arch support
- Running as a hobby
- Dancing as a hobby
- Occupations that involve lots of time on your feet
Having risk factors that apply to you doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll ever get plantar fasciitis, but Dr. Raestas can help you make some changes in your routine to reduce your risk. These include choosing shoes with adequate arch support and stretching your arches regularly.
Which treatments are available for plantar fasciitis?
Before you consider professional treatments and prescription medications for plantar fasciitis, Dr. Raestas might encourage you to treat your plantar fasciitis at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
If these strategies aren’t effective in alleviating your pain, possible treatment options include:
Corticosteroid injections
Corticosteroid injections are one of the most effective treatment options for inflammatory musculoskeletal complications. Dr. Raestas might use ultrasound imaging to guide the injection to the correct region of your foot.
Night splints
Night splints are devices that you wear while you sleep to stretch your calves and your arches.
Custom orthotics
Custom orthotics fit perfectly with the contours of your feet to provide adequate support for your arches. Dr. Raestas creates them using casting or 3D computer-generated molds of your feet.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help you stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments, contributing to your plantar fasciitis. Your physical therapist can also teach you to wrap your foot with athletic tape in a way that supports your arch.
Surgery
Surgery to treat plantar fasciitis is rarely necessary, but it can alleviate severe and unfaltering heel pain. Surgery for plantar fasciitis typically involves detaching the plantar fascia from the heel bone.
Persistent heel pain can worsen without proper treatment. To explore treatments for plantar fasciitis, call either VP Foot & Ankle Specialist location or book an appointment online today.
