You wake up to shut your alarm off and are ready to have a productive day, as you get out of bed and take your first steps, you feel a stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot. Ouch! While this can be a painful wakeup call, Plantar Fasciitis is a fairly common foot and ankle problem that we see and treat at West Michigan Foot & Ankle.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel (calcaneus) pain.

Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of a thick band of fascia that runs across the bottom of your foot from the calcaneus to the digits, this band is called the plantar fascia. 

What symptoms may I have?

Typically plantar fasciitis causes a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel. Usually this pain is worse with the first few steps after awakening, however it can also be triggered by long periods of standing or when getting up after sitting.

Plantar fasciitis could cause chronic heel pain that hinders your regular activities, and changing the way you walk which can lead to foot, knee, and back problems. 

How did I get plantar fasciitis?

There are multiple risk factors that can predispose someone to developing plantar fasciitis, a few are listed below.

• Age: Plantar fasciitis is most common between the ages of 40 and 60. 
• Certain types of exercise: Activities such as long distance running, recent change of activity and high impact activities can put a lot of strain on your foot causing plantar fasciitis. 
• Foot mechanics: Flat feet, a high arch or even an irregular pattern of walking can affect the way the weight is distributed when you’re standing or walking, and this can add stress on the plantar fascia.
• Occupations that keep you on your feet: Many jobs require you to spend multiple hours walking or standing on firm, hard surfaces which can increase your risk of developing heel pain. Some common occupations that we see an increase of plantar fasciitis are factory workers, construction workers, healthcare workers, and cashiers. 

Custom Orthotics for treating Plantar Fasciitis in Ludington:

What can West Michigan foot and ankle do for you?

At West Michigan Foot & Ankle, Dr. Squires will do a thorough foot exam and go over options that will alleviate your heel pain. This will include radiographs and developing a treatment plan specific to your case. Dr. Squires will also discuss proper shoe gear and a gait analysis will be performed. Many people with plantar fasciitis benefit from custom orthotics. At West Michigan Foot & Ankle, we have state of the art technology to get you placed into 3D printed, low profile custom orthotics that will fit in your everyday work shoes/boots.