Treating Plantar Fasciitis: From Stretches to Surgery

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition, but it can be uncommonly persistent and resistant to treatment. The team at Batavia Foot Care Center sees plenty of cases, so we’ve got a good grasp of all the different ways heels can ache.

What do all cases have in common? They can benefit from the direct intervention of an expert DPM! This blog will cover a few different options for dealing with pesky plantar fasciitis, from at-home strategies and conservative care to more direct interventions.

Straining and Stretching

Chronic plantar fasciitis can benefit from targeted stretching plans designed to relieve pain and pressure in the heel or calves. Interested in giving one a try? Start with the easy exercise below:

  1. Stand with your feet together, preferably an arm’s length away from a nearby wall.
  2. While pressing your hands into the wall, step back with one leg, bend the opposite knee slightly, and keep your rear leg’s heel flat on the ground.
  3. Gently apply pressure for 20-30 seconds, then repeat on your other leg.

Night Splints and Orthotics

These conservative options still yield solid results for many patients in need.

  • Night splints keep your foot in a dorsiflexed position (toes pointed upwards) while you sleep.
  • This can be helpful for stretching the plantar fascia throughout the evening, providing a way to heal effectively while at rest.
  • Orthotic inserts might be suggested to provide cushioning and alleviate pain.

Surgical Intervention

Severe cases might necessitate surgery as a last resort, especially when the options above are insufficient.

  • The most commonly used procedure is referred to as a plantar fascia release.
  • The surgeon performing it will release a section of the plantar fascia ligament from the heel bone in an effort to soothe tension and resolve chronic pain.

Heels aching first thing in the morning? You can count on Batavia Foot Care Center to care for your feet using a full range of therapies and treatment options. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Dawn K. Dryden and Dr. Courtney M. Foote, serves patients of all ages in Batavia, New York, and is equipped to treat conditions like flatfeet, tendonitis, and heel spurs. We also offer custom orthotics for our patients. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment today!