Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain, affecting up to two million Americans each year. At Global Podiatry in Arlington Heights, Chicago and Wheeling, Illinois, experienced podiatrists Simon Donets, DPM, Yelena Barsky, DPM, and their team provide minimally invasive treatment for plantar fasciitis, including custom orthotics, shockwave therapy, and sports injury management. Treatment prevents the problem from worsening so that you can return to your routine. Call the nearest Global Podiatry office today for plantar fasciitis treatment, or book your appointment online.

Does plantar fasciitis ever go away?

Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve within a few months — but only with proper treatment. Without professional intervention, the injury can get worse, affecting your mobility and quality of life.

The Global Podiatry team offers same-day and next-day treatment to address plantar fasciitis promptly. After pinpointing its underlying cause, they make personalized treatment recommendations.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms include:

• Intense heel pain
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• A tight Achilles tendon
• Swelling around the heel
• Stiffness

Plantar fasciitis is different from other heel pain in that it’s typically worse in the morning and after extended rest periods.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia –– the thick tendon that runs from your heel to your toes –– and is caused by damage to the tendon.

This damage happens for various reasons, including overuse, wearing shoes that don’t support your feet, and structural abnormalities, like flatfoot and high arches. The symptoms are often mild at first but get worse with time.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

Your Global Podiatry provider asks about your symptoms, including where the pain is, what it feels like, and if specific activities, like standing or exercising, worsen it. They examine your heel's back, bottom, and sides, looking for redness and swelling.

Your provider gently presses on the bottom and sides of your heel to identify sensitive spots and asks you to walk, observing your gait (how you walk) and posture.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis are diagnosed visually. But if your provider suspects an underlying problem like a bone spur or a stress fracture, they’ll refer you to Northwest Orthopedic Surgery, SC, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for diagnostic imaging.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

The Global Podiatry team takes a conservative, integrative approach to initially treat plantar fasciitis. They might suggest:

• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling
• Icing your foot several times daily
• Getting plenty of rest to allow your foot to heal
• Wearing supportive shoes
• Wearing custom orthotics (prescription shoe inserts)
• Immobilizing the foot with a walking boot
• Using shockwave therapy (extracorporeal pulse activation technology)
• Percutaneous needle tenotomy (a minimally invasive treatment that simulates healing)

Most people benefit from several treatments at once or one after the other. But if your symptoms continue or get worse, you might need minimally invasive surgery.

Call the nearest Global Podiatry office today to schedule plantar fasciitis treatment, or book our appointment online.