Plantar Fasciitis

Introduction

Plantar fasciitis, a common cause of adult heel and arch pain, is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes.

Symptoms

• Excruciating pain
• Difficulty in walking and standing for extended periods
• Worst pain in the morning upon rising and stepping out of bed
• Pain decreases with movement but can recur after long periods of standing or sitting

Etiology

• Poorly understood cause
• Most common cause of heel pain
• Tension and stress on the fascia can cause small tears and inflammation
• Wear and tear from walking or running can result in degeneration of the fascia
• Heel spurs are a consequence, not the cause, of plantar fasciitis

Risk Factors

• Age (between 40 and 60)
• High-impact exercises
• Flat feet or high arches
• Obesity
• Occupations that require prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces

Complications

• Ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic heel pain and affect overall posture
• Modifying walking or standing patterns due to pain can increase the risk of injury in other areas of the body

Treatment

• Conservative treatment options are effective in 90% of cases
• Heel cups, night splints, orthotics, and shoe modifications
• OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy and stretching exercises
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), a proven treatment with multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses showing its efficacy

Conclusion

ESWT has been shown to effectively treat plantar fasciitis and is also used in musculoskeletal medicine for various conditions. Regenerative Medicine of Iowa, PC. offers ESWT as a non-surgical and non-anesthetic treatment option to help patients relieve their musculoskeletal pain and get back to their activities without risk or downtime.