Plantar fasciitis/faciosis

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis (plantar fasciosis) is a common cause of presentation to the health care provider for heel pain. The majority of cases will respond to conservative measures including tincture of time, ice, NSAIDs, night splints, orthotics, stretching, and strengthening programs. Corticosteroid injection can provide temporary relief, though long-term data does not exist to support its common use. Additional non-operative options primarily centered around creating a healing response such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) continue to evolve, while surgical intervention is reserved for patients who despite appropriate non-operative management for 6-12 months have significant persistent symptoms. Both open and endoscopic procedures have been successful. Specific to the care of an athlete is the evaluation of recent changes in training levels and training surfaces, techniques or shoes. Practitioners need to be aware of the current policy for each athlete's governing body for injections of blood or growth factors as policies continue to respond to the growth of orthobiologics and could be prohibited.