Plantar Fasciitis — heel & arch pain
Sharp, stabbing pain under the heel — often worst with the first steps of the day — brings many Bethesda and Germantown patients through the door.
What it is
The plantar fascia is the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes and helping support the arch. Plantar fasciitis is irritation and inflammation of that band, usually from repeated strain.
It's one of the most common causes of heel pain, and it tends to build gradually rather than appear after a single injury.
Common symptoms
- Stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel
- Pain that's worst with the first steps in the morning
- Discomfort that eases with movement, then returns after standing for long stretches
How Dr. Feldman treats it
Dr. Feldman starts with conservative care — rest, stretching, supportive shoes, and custom orthotics to take pressure off the fascia. Night splints and a course of physical therapy often help too.
For pain that doesn't settle, options include targeted injections or shockwave therapy. Surgery to release the fascia is reserved for the small number of cases that don't respond to nonsurgical treatment.
Ready to get back on your feet?
Request an appointment online, or call the office — we see patients in Bethesda and Germantown.