Plantar Fasciitis causes pain at the bottom of the heel bone, usually worst upon arising in the morning or after beginning to walk after being sedentary for a time. There is usually no traumatic event associated with plantar fasciitis. Pain can rapidly progress to the point of severely limiting your ability to continue an active lifestyle.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick, broad ligament type structure that we all have which runs from our heel to the base of our toes. The causes of plantar fasciitis can include overuse and biomechanical abnormalities. Chronic plantar fasciitis can lead to the development of a heel spur, due to a prolonged pulling of a tightened plantar fascia on the heel.
The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is made via history and physical examination to the affected heel. X-rays are helpful is seeing if a heel spur is also present.
Treatment can include the use of medication, physical therapy, cortisone injection, stretching, custom orthotics or the injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) at the site.
If surgery becomes necessary, it is performed on an outpatient basis with the use of a small incision, guided by fluoroscopy. Patients are usually completely ambulatory during the recovery period, and return to normal activities is often rapid.
Drs. Subik and Notari are Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery