Services | Orthopedics and Pain Medicine Physician located in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Jersey City and West Orange, NJ | Garden State Pain & Orthopedics

Foot pain is extremely common. Many individuals experience foot pain as a result of poor foot support, excessive activity, or overbearing weight, and develop conditions such as flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Whether you develop flat feet from your shoes, or plantar fasciitis from running too much, Garden State Pain and Orthopedics has a personalized treatment plan for you. 

What is plantar fasciitis?  

Plantar fasciitis is heel pain that is commonly seen in athletes who spend a lot of time running, and other individuals who are pregnant or overweight. The heel pain is caused by inflammation of plantar fascia - a thick band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel bone. The pain or discomfort caused by Plantar Fasciitis is felt where the arch of your foot and your heel meet.  

What is the difference between flat feet and plantar fasciitis? 

Flat feet is a condition where the arch of your heel is lower than usual and is often caused by wearing shoes without proper arch support. Flat foot is the leading cause of plantar fasciitis. When you bear weight on your feet without proper support, your feet stretch away from your heel bone causing plantar fasciitis.  Flat feet does not always lead to foot pain. You can have flat feet without developing plantar fasciitis. However, if you do start to develop foot pain and you have flat feet, there is a high chance you have developed plantar fasciitis.  

How do you treat plantar fasciitis?  

Plantar fasciitis can typically be treated through over the counter pain medication, rest, elevation, icing, and activity modification. However if the pain is extreme and persistent, you should see a doctor immediately to prevent further discomfort.  At Garden State Pain and Orthopedics, we may provide or suggest a variety of treatments including:

• Physical Therapy
• Othotics such as splits, braces, special foot soles
• Walking boots, canes, crutches

And in more severe cases, our physicians may suggest:

• Injections
• Surgical Repairs

Can PRP Therapy be used to treat plantar fasciitis? 

Yes, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy can indeed be used as a treatment option for plantar fasciitis. Benefits of PRP Therapy include reduced pain and improved healing. PRP therapy can reduce pain associated with plantar fasciitis by promoting healing and reducing inflammation in the affected area by stimulating the body's natural healing response, potentially leading to faster tissue repair and regeneration. And since PRP therapy uses the patient's own blood, the risk of adverse reactions or complications is generally lower compared to treatments involving foreign substances.

Usually, no imaging tests are required for diagnosing plantar fasciitis. Dr. Scott Hanauer has ultrasound readily available to confirm diagnosis of plantar fasciiitis. If you have any more questions about your foot pain and wish to consult a doctor, click Book Now to make an appointment. Our Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr. Scott Hanauer will create a personalized healthcare plan for you. 

Meet Dr. Scott Hanauer

Foot and Ankle Specialist Scott Hanauer, DPM, believes excellent patient care is based on a foundation of compassion, trust, and expertise. At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, he works with his patients throughout Clifton, West Orange, Edison, and Jersey City, New Jersey, to build relationships of mutual respect in order to help them return to what they love doing as safely and pain-free as possible.

Dr. Hanauer is trained in sports-related injuries, including ankle arthroscopy, ankle ligament repair and reconstruction, fracture repair, Achilles tendonitis and tears, and tendon injury and cartilage restoration surgery. He also specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including ankle replacement, flat foot and cavus foot reconstruction, and ankle and midfoot fusions. Dr. Hanauer is also trained in advanced minimally invasive forefoot surgery, including bunion correction, hammertoe deformity correction, and arthritis.

Dr. Hanauer completed his undergraduate education at the University of Maryland, earning his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiological Sciences. He earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class with Cum Laude honors while receiving numerous scholarships and awards. Dr. Hanauer went on to complete his residency at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Northern Virginia.  During training, he served as Chief Resident. His training focused on complex surgical reconstruction of the foot and ankle.

Dr. Scott is active in research and is an author of a number of publications and posters in peer-reviewed journals and national conferences. As an attending physician, he continues to play an active role in the training and education of residents. Dr. Hanauer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, an associate member of the board of American Foot & Ankle Surgeons, and a member of the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society. He is from Livingston, New Jersey. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golf, NYC sports, and spending time with his wife Jessica, family, friends, and his dog, Finn.