Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common conditions I see in my clinic. Roughly 1 in 10 people will experience this in their lifetime, making it extraordinarily prevalent. There can be confusion as to how the condition evolves, but I will say it mainly has to do with form and function. By that I mean our feet were not designed for the surfaces we walk on each day. This can be corroborated by the fact that a majority of sufferers spend inordinate amount of time on hard surfaces. Think teachers, warehouse workers, nurses. Not to mention the runners and athletes who can be sidelined when the condition develops.  The majority of patients I see have tried resting, over the counter pain medications, changing their shoes and possibly some stretching. I have to assume a great deal of patients have success with this. However many do not, causing them to come limping into the office seeking professional help.  We begin with evaluating precipitating events, avoiding these activities and modifying shoe gear appropriately. NSAIDs, a rigorous stretching routine, and occasionally corticosteroid injections are used initially. Shoe inserts that are appropriate for a patients foot type and activity are also instituted. The majority of patients will obtain relief with these techniques. For stubborn cases a physical therapist is brought on to aid in pain reduction and reversal of the factors that led to fasciitis developing. In more refractory cases surgery may be required. Surgical methods vary among practitioners but most have very high success rates.  The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.