The Most Common Type of Heel Pain is Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, pronounced (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) a term used by physicians to refer to heel and arch pain traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Moreover, it involves inflammation of the plantar fascia — a thick, fibrous band of aponeurosis running along the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneus and runs to the base of the toes. The plantar fascia supports the foot arch and is essential in foot mechanics during walking.
Most Common Cause of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain, yet the cause is poorly understood. It may be associated with overuse of the plantar fascia when too much tension, stress, or weight is placed on the foot. Moreover, with overuse or in time, the fascia loses some elasticity or resilience and can become inflamed with activities like standing, walking, and running. In some cases, plantar fasciitis may be associated with an injury or bruise to the plantar fascia from exercise or standing on hard surfaces, genetics, pregnancy, being overweight, an inflammatory diet, or improper shoe choices.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
- Pain, especially when taking those first morning steps
- Redness
- Sensation of heat
- Swelling
- Pain disappears or diminishes after a few minutes of walking
New Patient Visits for Plantar Fasciitis
Initial Visit
During your initial visit to New Orleans Podiatry Associates, Dr. Lang will conduct a focused review of your symptoms and medical history; and he will perform a diagnostic evaluation to arrive at a clinical diagnosis. Once Dr. Lang determines the origins of your heel pain, he will determine whether you are suffering from an acute or chronic condition. He will then present a diagnosis and a treatment plan. From here, you will move into the collaborative stage of your new patient visit and collectively decide on a treatment protocol that works according to your lifestyle, health insurance plan, and budget.
Diagnostic Evaluation
During the diagnostic evaluation of your new patient visit, an x-ray and a sonogram of the foot and ankle are performed in-office to locate the origin of your heel pain. These diagnostic tools are the gold standard in finding the sources of your heel pain, including plantar fasciitis.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatments in Metro New Orleans
Shoe Gear
When determining the origins of heel pain, evaluating shoe gear is a vital component of the diagnostic process. Moreover, old, worn-out shoes, high-heel use, or ill-fitting shoes are often culprits of heel pain.
Radial Shockwave Therapy
Radial shockwave is a cutting-edge, evidenced-based technology used to stimulate the body's immune response by creating micro-traumas in the area of injury. Micro-traumas stimulate a repair response to an inflamed or torn plantar fascia. It is helpful for both acute and chronic plantar fasciitis conditions.
Amniotic Matrix Allograft
Ethically harvested amniotic matrix allograft is used to repair damaged or torn plantar fascia. It is injected using sonogram technology to visually ensure it is deposited according to evidence based uses.
Custom-Crafted Orthotics
Custom-crafted orthotics are prescribed to support the plantar fascia, allowing it to heal. Our custom-crafted orthotics merge thirty years of plantar fascia expertise with state-of-the-art 3D technology.
Sonogram-Guided Steroid Therapy
Our state-of-the-art sonogram technology allows Dr. Lang to precisely place steroid medications at and around the injured portion of the plantar fascia.
Red Light Laser Therapy
Class IV red light laser therapy utilizes red and near-infrared light to produce a chain of reactions that stimulate healing and the regeneration of damaged tissues. It is used in conjunction with conservative care or in tandem with radial shockwave to achieve optimal results for both acute and chronic plantar fasciitis.
Specialized Stretches
Dr. Lang and his NOPA team will teach specialized stretching to help heal the plantar fascia. Stretching is not indicated for every case of plantar fasciitis; therefore, patients will be notified when and how stretching will benefit their condition.
Diet and Lifestyle
A calorie-appropriate, ancestral diet is recommended to reduce inflammation in the body. This way of eating includes removing sugar, flour, seed oils, and processed foods from the diet while increasing organic proteins to heal damaged tissues.
Grounding/Earthing
It may seem strange, but twenty-two evidence-based studies prove walking barefoot on the earth reduces inflammation in the body. Grounding does not cost any money, so why not give it a try? All you need is to place your bare-feet in the grass, sand, or soil; the earth's magnetic field will do the rest..
Heel Good™ Plantar Fasciitis Protocol
Radial shockwave therapy is an effective modality for reducing pain and healing chronic plantar fasciitis. It directs your body's immune system to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. Amniotic matrix allograft is an effective, regenerative technology providing growth factors and amniotic stem cells excellent for tissue repair. Our Heel Good ™ Protocol is a fascia-focused, twelve-week, evidence-based treatment plan utilizing a combination of radial shockwave therapy and amniotic matrix allograft to help resolve chronic plantar fasciitis without steroid injections or surgery.
References
Werber B. (2015). Amniotic Tissues for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciosis and Achilles Tendinosis. Journal of sports medicine (Hindawi Publishing Corporation), 2015, 219896. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/2...
Menigoz, Wendy., Latz, Tracy., Ely, Robin., Kamei, Cimone., Melvin, Gregory., Sinatra, Drew. (2020). Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. EXPLORE, 16(3), 152-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005.
If Conservative Treatment Fails
It's uncommon, but when conservative treatment fails, Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF), a minimally invasive surgical treatment, is an option. EPF is indicated for releasing the proximal medial aspect of the fascia in cases that do not respond to aggressive, non-surgical therapies. This dependable procedure involves minimal surgical dissection of the tissue and is performed under direct visualization using endoscopic cameras. On average, recovery is quick, and patients are often back in their shoes within 48 hours after surgery.
Compared to a traditional, open fasciotomy surgery, EPF provides a much faster rehabilitation period and shorter overall recovery. Patients can also bear weight on the impacted foot immediately post-procedure. EPF procedures have produced excellent post-operative results, with an average success rate of roughly 90%. For many patients, EPF can significantly improve their plantar fasciitis symptoms after the initial recovery, even if conservative treatment options produce little results.
Reference
Hake D. H. (2000). Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy: a minimally traumatic procedure for chronic plantar fasciitis. The Ochsner journal, 2(3), 175–178.
Text Us About Plantar Fasciitis
At New Orleans Podiatry Associates, we are experts in treating heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Our lead podiatrist, Dr. Edward M. Lang, has been helping patients resolve heel pain for over 30 years. Please text our HIPAA-compliant communication platform at (866) 875-4570 and chat directly with our team to learn more about plantar fasciitis relief. You do not have to live with heel pain. We are heel pain and plantar fasciitis specialists, and we have helped thousands of patients reclaim their foot health.
Call for an Appointment
At New Orleans Podiatry Associates, we are experts in treating foot and ankle pain. Our lead podiatrist, Dr. Edward M. Lang, has been helping patients resolve foot and ankle pain for over 30 years. Please call our main number at (504) 897-3627 for both our New Orleans and Metaire locations, and speak directly with our team to learn more about how New Orleans Podiatry Associates can help you get back on your feet. We are foot and ankle specialists, and we have helped thousands of patients reclaim their foot health.