- Heel Spur Treatment Guide
- Smelly Feet (Foot Odor)
- Poor Circulation (Peripheral Vascular Disease)
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- High Arch Foot (pes cavus)
- Heel Pain in Children
- Heel Pain
- Hammer Toe
- Gout
- Fungal Infections of the Skin
- Foot Pain
- Foot Corns & Callus (hyperkeratosis)
- Flat Feet
- Dry Skin On The Foot
- Diabetes Foot Care
- Cracked Heels
- Cold Feet
- Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus)
- Children's Foot Problems
- Chilblains (Pernio; perniosis)
- Charcot's Foot
- Burning Foot
- Bunions
- Arch Support
- Arch Pain
- Ankle Sprain
- Achilles Tendinitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia.
The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the five toes.
Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis.
It has been reported that plantar fasciitis occurs in two million Americans a year and 10% of the population over a lifetime.
It is commonly associated with long periods of work-related weight bearing. Among non-athletic populations, it is associated with a high body mass index.
The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Another symptom is that the sufferer has difficulty bending the foot so that the toes are brought toward the shin (decreased dorsiflexion of the ankle).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is usually made by clinical examination alone.
Imaging studies may include radiographs, diagnostic ultrasound and MRI.
Treatment
Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include stretching, night splints, motion control running shoes, physical therapy, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications and surgery in refractory cases.
Surgery
Surgery carries the risk of nerve injury, infection, rupture of the plantar fascia, and failure to improve the pain.
Traditional surgical procedures, such as plantar fascia release, are a last resort, and often lead to further complications such as a lowering of the arch and pain in the supero-lateral side of the foot due to compression of the cuboid bone.
An ultrasound guided needle fasciotomy can be used as a minimally invasive surgical intervention for plantar fasciitis. A needle is inserted into the plantar fascia and moved back and forwards to disrupt the fibrous tissue.
Coblation surgery (aka Topaz procedure) has been used successfully in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. This procedure utilizes radiofrequency ablation and is a minimally invasive procedure.