Plantar Fasciitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Mar 23, 2023
  • Author: Craig C Young, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is plantar fasciitis?

What is the prevalence of plantar fasciitis?

What is the typical presentation of plantar fasciitis?

What is the prognosis of plantar fasciitis?

What is the anatomy of the plantar fascia relative to plantar fasciitis?

What causes plantar fasciitis?

What is the pathophysiology of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of fasciosis in the pathogenesis of plantar fasciitis?

How does the biomechanics of running contribute to the pathogenesis of plantar fasciitis?

What are the risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

What are extrinsic (training errors and equipment) risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

What are structural risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

What are the structural risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

What are functional risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

What are degenerative risk factors for plantar fasciitis?

How common is plantar fasciitis?

How does the incidence of plantar fasciitis vary by age and sex?

What is the overall prognosis of plantar fasciitis?

What is the prognosis of plantar fasciitis in athletes?

What are the morbidities of plantar fasciitis?

How should patients be educated about plantar fasciitis?

What specific recommendations should be included in patient education about plantar fasciitis?

Presentation

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

How is the pain of plantar fasciitis characterized?

What changes may have occurred in the period preceding the onset of pain in plantar fasciitis?

What precipitating factors of plantar fasciitis should be noted in the history?

What steps should be taken if plantar fasciitis is determined to be work-related?

Which physical findings suggest plantar fasciitis?

Which secondary physical findings suggest plantar fasciitis?

Which physical exams should be performed when plantar fasciitis is suspected?

Which finding suggests the presence of a Morton neuroma as opposed to plantar fasciitis?

What is the purpose of a full musculoskeletal exam in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis?

How are tarsal tunnel syndrome and S1 radiculopathy differentiated from plantar fasciitis during the physical exam?

What is the role of vascular exam in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis?

Which factor increases the risk of plantar fascia rupture in patients with plantar fasciitis?

What may cause fat pad necrosis in plantar fasciitis?

What are the possible complications of plantar fasciitis?

DDX

Which disorders should be included in the differential diagnosis of plantar fasciitis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Plantar Fasciitis?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of radiography in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis?

What it the role of imaging studies in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

When are lab studies indicated in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the significance of a radiographic finding of heel spurs in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of bone scanning in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of electromyography (EMG) in the workup of plantar fasciitis?

Treatment

What is key to successful treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the reported resolution incidence of plantar fasciitis?

What are the treatment options for plantar fasciitis?

What is the initial treatment approach for plantar fasciitis?

What should be considered if pain persists after the initial treatment for plantar fasciitis?

Which factor may be predictive of patient response to conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the first-line anti-inflammatory treatment for plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of rest and activity modification in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What activity modifications are required of athletes with plantar fasciitis?

What are the recommended activity modifications for runners with plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of NSAIDS in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Are NSAIDS an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of corticosteroids in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What steps should be taken prior to administering steroid injections for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the basic technique for corticosteroid injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

How effective are corticosteroid injections in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of ultrasound-guided steroid injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What are the benefits of ultrasound-guided steroid injection over palpated injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What are the risks of corticosteroids for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What are potential adverse effects of corticosteroid injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Which complication may result from improper placement of a corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis?

What are the possible complications of corticosteroid injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What complications may result from intravascular injections for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Are corticosteroid injections indicated for the treatment of plantar fasciitis in diabetic, pregnant, or pediatric patients?

What information should patients be given about corticosteroids for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Is botulinum toxin type A effective for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Is autologous blood or plasma injection effective for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of cryopreserved human amniotic membrane in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Is extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) approved by the FDA for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Is extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of intracorporeal pneumatic shock treatment (IPST) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of night splints in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Are night splints an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of shoe modifications and orthotics in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Which mechanical corrections are used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis in patients with low arches or pes planus?

What is the role of taping in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the indication for over-the-counter (OTC) arch supports for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of custom orthotic devices for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of physical therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the efficacy of stretching for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Which stretches are effective for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of strengthening programs in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

How is a towel curl performed for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

How are marble pickups performed for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

How are toe taps performed for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of a maintenance physical therapy program for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

When is surgery indicated in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the success rate of fasciotomy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What are potential complications of surgical intervention for plantar fasciitis?

Is percutaneous partial fasciotomy an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of cryosurgery in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of bipolar radiofrequency microdebridement for the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis?

What is the most important means of preventing plantar fasciitis?

How is plantar fasciitis prevented?

How can work-related plantar fasciitis be prevented?

What monitoring is required after the initial treatment of plantar fasciitis?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment in patients with plantar fasciitis, and which medications are commonly used?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis?