Should you need medical treatment to alleviate the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, there are multiple options to consider.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may be recommended as part of your treatment depending on the severity of your inflammation and may be recommended in conjunction with another form of treatment. Some of the stretches or therapy that will be done could be similar to the stretches recommended to prevent plantar fasciitis. Alternate forms of physical therapy could include electric stim, ice, heat, ultrasound, and whirlpool therapy.
Strapping and Padding
Strapping and Padding techniques help relieve plantar fasciitis pain by providing support and stabilizing the plantar fascia. Padding and strapping is usually combined with anti-inflammatory medications and can offer a powerful method of treatment to relieve pain.
Cortisone Injections
The steroid Cortisone is often injected to reduce inflammation at the site of the pain. Cortisone injections can provide pain relief within a few hours of the injection and often provide relief for three to six months.
Traumeel and Zeel Injections
The Traumeel and Zeel injections are composed of natural ingredients and is alternative to Cortisone injections and can reduce inflammation at the site of heel pain. The solution is an anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, anti-exudative combination formulation of 12 botanical substances and 1 mineral substance.
ESWT
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis by stimulating healing and reducing inflammation of the plantar fascia. This treatment focuses shockwaves that create microtrauma and tears to plantar fascia stimulating the body to heal itself. It is a one time treatment and is relatively pain free.
Surgery
Many patients experience relief from the treatments mentioned above, but surgery is also an option. When surgery is needed, part of the plantar fascia is cut or released. This releases the tension or pull on the tendon and lessens the inflammation.
The doctors at Progressive Foot Care are available to evaluate your severity of plantar fasciitis and will work with you to recommend a course of treatment to set you on the road to recovery.