Take plantar fasciitis for example. While it can be triggered by one intense moment of stress directed onto the plantar fascia, oftentimes it’s a much less innocuous action that leads to plantar fascia tearing or inflammation. In today’s blog, we spotlight some of these surprising causes of plantar fasciitis.

Hidden Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis

Dr. Silverman went into greater detail about the causes of plantar fasciitis in this recent piece by The Guardian where he was quoted, but let’s use today’s blog to spotlight some of the surprising factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis onset:

Exercise After Some Time Off – Exercise in and of itself isn’t a major risk for plantar fasciitis, but exercising too much after an extended period of inactivity can do it. We’ve talked with countless patients who have New Year’s Resolutions or are just starting to train for a marathon but are quickly felled by plantar fasciitis pain. Taking on too much activity, too soon, especially after an extended period of inactivity, can greatly increase your risk for plantar fasciitis. Take things slow and gradually build up your distance or speed to keep your plantar fasciitis risk at bay.

Your Weight – Your plantar fascia bears the weight of your body with every step you take, so it stands to reason that the heavier you are, the more stress the tissues are under. Whether you’re running, walking or moving, this extra weight it going to put additional strain on your plantar fascia, and over time that can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Arch Abnormalities – Your risk of developing plantar fasciitis is also tied to the genetic lottery. Individuals with flat feet or high arches will displace stress differently across their foot, and oftentimes that involves more stress being placed on the plantar fascia. Orthotic inserts and physical therapy can help to lower this risk, as can working to maintain an ideal weight. Be proactive with the hand life deals you.

Repetitive Stress – Finally, as we mentioned above, trauma can play a roll in plantar fasciitis onset, but it’s usually chronic, repetitive trauma, not acute trauma. If you’re someone who always runs for a workout or you’re constantly on your feet at your job, it’s possible that you’re overloading the plantar fascia with repetitive strain, weakening the tissue and putting you at a heightened risk for plantar fasciitis.

Whatever your underlying cause, Dr. Silverman wants to help identify the issue and develop a treatment plan that sees you put this plantar fascia pain to bed once and for all. For more information, or for help with a different foot or ankle issue, connect with Dr. Silverman today.

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Ways You’re Making Your Plantar Fasciitis Worse

If you’re not proactive and smart about how you approach treatment, you can end up making your plantar faciitis worse, which can lead to bigger tears or even a full rupture of the fascia. Here are five ways that you may unknowingly be making your plantar fasciitis worse.

1. Wear The Wrong Shoes – Footwear that doesn’t comfort and support the arch of your foot will put additional stress on your plantar fascia. Shoes like sandals or a fashionable pair of flats may look cute, but they won’t offer much support to your arch. Protect your plantar fascia from additional tearing and inflammation by wearing footwear that has ample arch support.

2. Excessive Sugar Intake – Sugar can be hard on your body and your plantar fascia for a couple of reasons. Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, and that will put more stress on your feet as they work to support this extra pressure. Consuming sugar also leads to the production of certain molecules inside your body that are pro-inflammatory, which can lead to lingering inflammation in your plantar fascia. Rework your diet, and it may become easier to manage your plantar fasciitis.

3. Jumping Out Of Bed – Oftentimes plantar fasciitis is most painful with the first few steps in the morning. That’s because the plantar fascia stretches as it is stressed when you get out of bed, and after an extended period of sleep, this jolt of stress can lead to mictotearing of the fascia. When you wake up, sit on the edge of your bed and do a couple minutes of foot stretches to gently prepare your fascia for strain so that the tissue can stretch before it handles the weight of your body.

4. Pushing Through Discomfort – A number of athletes try to push through the discomfort so that they can continue to play. They think that as long as they can handle the discomfort, then they should be able to play. If you ignore the warning signs and continue to put a lot of stress on the area with activity, you can completely rupture the fascia, which can lead to the need for surgery and months of rehabilitation. Taking a little time off to heal is much preferred to playing through the pain, because in the best case symptoms will linger, and worst case the problem will get much worse.

5. Ignoring Other Problems – Finally, it’s important to remember that the whole body is connected, and ignoring a problem in one area can cause problems in another. Knee pain that is affecting your gait could worsen plantar fasciitis, and vice versa, so don’t ignore a pain in any part of your body. Not only could it lead to worse discomfort in that area, but it could also lead to new issues in different parts of your body.

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Causes Of Arch Pain When Walking

For many individuals, the onset of arch pain may be sudden, but it doesn’t always occur as a result of an acute moment of injury. In other words, while it’s possible to injure your arch in a specific moment of overloaded stress, oftentimes this discomfort is the result of micro-trauma and stress over the years that eventually leads to symptoms. That’s why it’s often so puzzling as to why the condition develops, because you can’t easily point to a specific moment of injury.

Some factors that may put you at risk for arch pain include:

• Being overweight, or recent weight gain
• The natural aging process
• Chronic foot stress/overuse
• Certain neurological conditions
• Structural issues (high arches, flat feet, etc.)

As for the actual cause of arch pain, the most common underlying reason for mild to severe arch pain when walking is due to the onset of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that involves inflammation or tearing of the thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to your forefoot. This band of tissue is known as the plantar fascia helps to support your foot arch and handle stress with every step your take.

Inflammation or injury to the plantar fascia can lead to a cycle that is tough to break free from. Rest and physical therapy are the best ways to treat plantar fasciitis, but because the pain tends to start off as mild or moderate, many people continue to try to go about their day as if nothing is wrong. This continued stress only prolongs the condition or leads to additional inflammation and tearing, compounding the problem.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis

As we mentioned above, you need to treat the plantar fasciitis head on if you want to see the best results, and the problem will likely get worse if you try to push through the discomfort. So if you’re starting to deal with arch pain, especially if the discomfort is worse in the morning or after sitting for an extended period, set up an appointment with Dr. Silverman or an orthopedic specialist in your area.

They’ll begin by asking about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam to look for physical signs of plantar fasciitis. Imaging tests are not typically necessary, but they may be ordered to rule out other possibilities like a stress fracture.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will walk your through an individualized treatment plan. In most cases, plantar fasciitis responds well to conservative care, so treatment oftentimes involves a combination of:

• Rest
• Bracing
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises

Rest and bracing are helpful in the short-term, but to drive long-term results, you need to pursue more active treatments like physical therapy and stretching. Your specialist can walk you through some specific exercises and even set you up with a physical therapist to ensure you progress through your rehab as expected.

So if you’re dealing with arch pain, know that it could get worse if you ignore it, and that will make every step a little more painful. Instead, sync up with Dr. Silverman and let him see if plantar fasciitis or another foot issue is to blame. Once a diagnosis is made, he’ll ensure you get set up with a personalized treatment plan to have you walking without pain in no time.

The post What’s Causing My Arch Pain When Walking? appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

Plantar Fasciitis Pain

If you are dealing with pain under the arch of your foot, there’s a good chance that there’s an issue with your plantar fascia. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s torn. In fact, if the pain is only mild or moderate, odds are it’s inflamed not torn. Inflammation caused by overuse can make movement and exerting pressure more uncomfortable, but oftentimes it resolves with a combination of rest, physical activity limitation, custom orthotics and targeted physical therapy.

You can get through the day with an inflamed plantar fascia, but it’s best to treat the issue head on. If you don’t, not only do symptoms tend to linger, but you will be at an increased risk of suffering a ruptured plantar fascia. But how will you know if you tore your plantar fascia?

While you may not know exactly what’s wrong at the outset, it will be clear from the moment that the tissue tears that a problem exists. When the band of tissue ruptures, you’ll feel a sharp pain in your arch and heel area. The area will also likely bruise and well, and it’s possible that you may even hear an audible pop in the region at the moment of rupture. Some people say it feels like they are being stabbed in the arch of their foot, and putting pressure on the area becomes very painful. Obviously this also makes walking quite difficult.

Treating A Torn Plantar Fascia

If you believe you’ve torn your plantar fascia, or you’re dealing with tissue inflammation, you should sync up with a foot specialist sooner rather than later. They’ll conduct a physical exam, review your medical history, and they may take a closer look at your foot through the use of imaging tests. Imaging tests may not be necessary to diagnose the rupture, but it can be revealed through an MRI test.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a torn plantar fascia, the first goal will be to immobilize the area with crutches or another assistive device. Eventually, you’ll be transitioned to a walking boot, at which time physical therapy exercises will be ordered. Physical therapy will typically last anywhere from 8-12 weeks in order to help the tissue heal and become strong enough to handle normal activity. In most instances, surgery is not required because conservative techniques tend to produce great results.

The post What Does A Torn Plantar Fascia Feel Like? appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

There are also some things you’ll want to avoid doing while attempting to treat your plantar fasciitis because they can serve to make the condition worse. In today’s blog, we take a look at five things that can make your plantar fasciitis worse.

What Makes Plantar Fasciitis Worse?

Here’s a look at five things that can make your plantar fasciitis worse and hinder your treatment success.

1. Gaining Weight – Excess weight can lead to more stress being channeled through your feet, which in turn will make the symptoms caused by plantar fasciitis worse. If you’re already overweight, failing to work towards a healthy weight can also make plantar fasciitis symptoms worse. Strive to get down to a healthy weight if you want to help treat your plantar fasciitis.

2. Excessive Standing – If you work in a job that requires you stand all day, it could make your plantar fasciitis condition worse. Standing for excessive periods doesn’t give the plantar fascia time to rest, and it can lead to extended periods of inflammation. Try to get off your feet when possible if you stand a lot for work and are dealing with plantar fasciitis.

3. Not Stretching When You Wake – Rest is a crucial time when this thick band of tissue heals and isn’t required to handle stress. However, if you roll out of bed and stand up quickly, this band of tissue can tear as it suddenly is forced to bear weight. That’s why plantar fasciitis is often worse in the morning. Before you take your first steps, point, twist, flex and bend your foot and ankle so that the area can get used to movement and activity before it has to bear your body weight.

4. Wearing Unsupportive Shoes – Plantar fasciitis is more common in patients with high arches, and if you don’t wear shoes that accommodate for your specific foot shape, it can make symptoms of plantar fasciitis much worse. You need to make sure that your foot arch is supported and that your shoes are preventing problems, not contributing to them. If you have questions about your shoes, reach out to a foot specialist like Dr. Silverman.

5. Eating Too Much Sugar – Elevated blood sugar levels in your body can trigger inflammation, which in turn will make your plantar fasciitis worse. Cutting back on refined sugars can not only help to calm inflammation in your body, but it can also help with your weight, another factor on this list.

So while active treatment options are important for fixing your plantar fasciitis, so too is avoiding things that could inadvertently make your condition worse. If you need help getting a handle on your plantar fasciitis condition, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office today.

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One such condition that could lead to worse outcomes if left untreated is plantar fasciitis. In today’s blog, we explain some of the potential dangers of leaving your plantar fasciitis untreated.

Three Potential Problems Of Untreated Plantar Fasciitis

Here’s a look at three other foot problems that could develop if you don’t actively manage your plantar fasciitis.

Heel Spurs – One of the most common issues associated with untreated plantar fasciitis is the development of heel spurs. Your body is doing what it always tries to do and protect itself, and it does that by generating calcium deposits to protect the arch of your foot from tissue damage. Over time, these calcium deposits can turn into sharp or rough bone deposits that irritate nearby structures, leading to pain with every step. Not only will early intervention help treat the underlying plantar fasciitis, but it will also help prevent against heel spur formation.

Plantar Fibromatosis – This condition results in the non-cancerous thickening of your plantar fascia. Although the condition isn’t all that common, it can lie dormant or asymptomatic for years, so many individuals may not know they are dealing with the formation of non-cancerous nodules along their fascia. Over time, walking on the thickened fascia can go from mildly uncomfortable to severely painful. Treating the plantar fasciitis at the outset can help to prevent this continued thickening of your fascia.

Plantar Rupture – A final problem that can develop if you don’t manage your plantar fasciitis is a full blown plantar rupture. Your plantar fascia is in a damaged state if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, but if you keep trying to push through the pain and play sports or stay active, the fascia can rupture. Odds are you’ll know if it ruptures, because there’s usually a popping sensation followed by a period of intense foot pain and swelling. Weight bearing may also be difficult. If you thought rehabbing from plantar fasciitis was annoying, recovering from a ruptured fascia will take even more time and effort.

If you have plantar fasciitis or are experiencing arch pain, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office to see what he can do for you.

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Plantar Fasciitis and the Summer

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that involves the development of inflammation of the thick band of fibrous tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. So why does this inflammation tend to develop more in the summer months? Here are a couple of factors that are at play:

Activity Increases – Staying active usually means more time on your feet, and this extra walking, running and stressing the feet can trigger plantar fascia inflammation. Overexertion is one of the most common factors that leads to the onset of plantar fasciitis.

Unsupportive Shoes – Another factor for the development of plantar fasciitis is poor arch support. If the arch of your foot is not adequately supported, your arch will have to handle more stress, which in turn can lead to the onset of plantar fascia inflammation. Minimalist shoes like sandals and flats are much more common during the warm summer months, and oftentimes these options don’t provide the best arch support. Invest in a quality pair of sandals and minimize the amount of time you spend in less-than-supportive shoes.

Sports Training – Along the line of increased activity, summer is commonly a time when kids and teens partake in summer sports through club programs. These teams only meet during the summer, so the schedule is often quite intense with practices and games. This uptick in sporting activity can also lead to plantar fasciitis if you overstress the same soft tissues in a short period of time.

So if you’re feeling a sharp pain in the heel or arch of your foot, especially with the first steps in the morning, consider that you may be dealing with the early stages of plantar fasciitis. We can get you a clear diagnosis and set you up with a care plan to have you back on your feet before summer ends.

The post Why Plantar Fasciitis Cases Increase In The Summer appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

1. Shoe Support – Don’t just throw on your sandals and head out into the warm weather. A lot of sandals offer minimal arch support, a crucial area in the onset of plantar fasciitis. Make sure you have supportive shoes that are designed to cradle your arch appropriately. If you’re having trouble finding a pair to support your flat feet or high arches, consult with a foot specialist or an in-store shoe expert.

2. Activity Levels – Another trigger for plantar fasiciitis is overuse and repeated stress. It can be tempting to take your workout outdoors or to go for a long springtime run on the trail, but you need to be smart about ramping up your activity levels. Slowly increase your work load so that your body is prepared for it. If pain develops, cut your activity short and give your feet some time off from strenuous exercise.

3. Stretching – Foot and calf stretches are very important in helping to prevent plantar fasciitis, so get in the habit of stretching before and after activity. This will help loosen the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot and help to prevent tearing and inflammation. It can be easy to want to jump straight into activity as the temps get warmer, but give yourself a couple of minutes before and after activity to stretch out your foot and calf muscles.

4. Rest – Rest is one of the better treatment options for plantar fasciitis, because if you never give the fascia time to heal, the inflammation will hang around and cause continued pain. It can be hard to take some time off from physical activity when the weather is nice, but it’s better to miss a couple practices and games than to try and play through the injury and suffer a significant tear that requires surgery or significant time off.

5. Visit A Doctor – Finally, we tend to get busier during the springtime as the daylight provides more time to be outside and meet with friends and family, so sometimes it can seem like a burden to take time off and see a doctor if you’re dealing with foot pain. Don’t just try to push through plantar fasciitis pain, because it’s not going to go away without concentrated treatment. If you’re truly interested in helping address your plantar fasciitis, set up a consultation with a foot specialist today.

The post 5 Ways To Prevent Plantar Fasciitis In The Spring appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

Your foot specialist can walk you through some therapy and stretching techniques if you have plantar fasciitis, but we were recently approached by our friends at SportyDoctor.com to see if they could share some of their tips on our website. You can see their full list of 10 stretches for treating plantar fasciitis on their blog, but we’re also going to share half their list on here for our readers. So check out these five plantar fascia stretches, and be sure to swing over to SportyDoctor.com for more information about sports medicine and injury care.

Plantar Fascia Stretches

Here’s a look at five stretches you can do to help treat discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis.

1. Water Bottle Roll – Take a room temperature water bottle or a wear socks if you take one out of the fridge and place is horizontally on the ground. Sit in a chair and roll your foot back and forth over the water bottle. This stretch helps to engage your plantar fascia and your intrinsic foot muscles.

2. Wall Calf Stretches – Stand facing a wall, bend your knees a little and reach one leg back behind you, keeping your heel on the ground. Push against the wall and you should begin to feel your calf muscles stretching. Hold the position for 15-20 seconds and then switch legs. This stretch will help strengthen and engage your calf muscles, your Achilles tendon and your plantaris muscle.

3. Heel Lifts – Stand behind a chair with your arms on the back of the chair. Press up onto the front of your toes, lifting your heels off the ground. Slowly slower yourself down after holding the position for a second or two. Do 10-15 lifts and then take a break. This will help relax your calf muscles, your Achilles, your plantaris muscle and your plantar fascia.

4. Step Up Arch Extensions – This stretch helps if your plantar fasciitis is due in part to fallen arches. Stand with the ball of your foot on the edge of a stair, then lower your heel off the edge of the stair until you feel a stretch. Hold this position for 15-30 seconds, as this will help stretch your posterior tibial tendon, plantar fascia, your calf and your Achilles tendon.

5. Sideways Leg Lifts – For the final stretch, lay on your side and perform sideways scissors lifts with your top leg. Do this 10-15 times, then rotate onto your other hip and perform the stretch with your other leg. This will help strengthen your hip flexors and thigh muscles, which can alter the way you distribute weight to your feet, and in turn help with your plantar fasciitis. This also helps engage your glutes, your psoas major and other important structures in your hips.

To learn more about the five above stretches, or to check out the other five stretches that are helpful with plantar fasciitis, swing on over to SportyDoctor.com!

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Why Do Plantar Warts Develop?

Plantar warts are actually caused by a virus, and usually they are picked up when a person is walking around in their bare feet on warm, moist surfaces. Areas like a community shower or a high school locker room are breeding grounds for these viruses, and even though staff work to clean these areas, it’s probably in your best interest to limit your bare foot exposure in these places.

Most people want to have their plantar warts taken care of because they aren’t appealing to the eye, not because they are causing painful symptoms. That being said, some plantar warts can be large and cause discomfort when walking or wearing shoes. Whatever your reasons for treating plantar warts, know that there are a variety of treatment options at your disposal.

Diagnosing and Treating Plantar Warts

You can diagnose your own plantar warts, or you can go into a doctor’s office and have them take a closer look. A plantar wart involves an abnormal collection of skin that is oftentimes harder than the skin around it. It is different than a callus, and is sometimes raised above the nearby skin.

There are a number of ways to treat plantar warts. If one method is ineffective, try another option.

• Topical Treatments – Some plantar warts will resolve if they are treated with over-the-counter topical treatments. You can usually find these at a pharmacy in your area.
• Prescription Treatments – Your doctor or a foot specialist may be able to prescribe a more concentrated topical treatment option.
• Liquid Nitrogen – Your healthcare provider may be able to apply a small amount of liquid nitrogen to the wart. This creates localized death of the skin cells, which can help clear up the wart.
• Time and Patience – Interestingly, the majority of plantar warts resolve on their own over time. This may not be the fastest way to take care of the wart, but it’s the easiest.
• Surgery – Surgery is not all that common for treating plantar warts. That being said, a foot surgeon or your primary care doctor may trim back some of the wart to decrease it’s thickness, which may be helpful in letting healthy skin cells regenerate in the area.

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