Are your first steps in the morning marked by a stabbing pain in your heels? If so, you might be suffering from plantar fasciitis, and you are definitely not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that at least 1 in 10 people will be afflicted with this sometimes debilitating issue in their lifetime and need plantar fasciitis treatment.
Often affecting people between 40-60 and more women than men, plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia—the connective tissue between your heel and toes—and is very common.
Fortunately, with the right treatment, most cases of plantar fasciitis will clear up in several months. If you have been experiencing pain and discomfort that you think might be plantar fasciitis, it’s important to see an orthopedic specialist to rule out other injuries and to speed up your recovery.
An orthopedic surgeon can diagnose plantar fasciitis through a thorough examination of your foot and possibly through additional imaging tests.
Once other possible injuries such as a pinched nerve or broken bone have been ruled out, a treatment plan to reduce inflammation in your foot can be implemented.
Possible treatment options may include:
· Medicine: A prescription for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help pain and inflammation
· Injections: Steroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation for a month or longer
· Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen and stretch your plantar fascia. Additionally, physical therapists can use massage, ultrasonography, and contrast baths to help.
· Shock Wave Therapy: As the name implies, this method literally shocks your plantar fascia with sound waves to stimulate blood flow in the heel and help tissue to heal. The shocking also stuns nerves, which halts pain.
· Tenex Procedure: This procedure requires a small incision and uses an ultrasound to target and remove scar tissue allowing patients to return to their normal routine in less than 2 weeks.
· Surgery: Usually performed as a last resort for severe pain or stubborn injuries that don’t respond to other less invasive treatments, the operation takes the plantar fascia off the heel bone. Usually patients will be required to wear a splint or boot and stay off their feet for a period of time to recover. Although an expensive procedure, favorable outcomes were reported in more than 75% of cases studied.