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Posts for tag: plantar fasciitis
Heel pain is one of the most common complaint that we see in our practice. Heel pain can sometimes be misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis. If you have been suffering from heel pain and you haven't had relief with aggressive conservative treatment such as stretching, icing, NSAIDS, cortisone injections, night splints, and custom orthotics than MRI may be an option. MRI will aid in ruling out a heel fracture or plantar fascial tear. The typical course of treatment for a heel fracture or plantar fascial tear is different from the treatment of plantar fasciits. Here is some treatment options and long term outlook for three common complains of heel pain.
- If you have a positive MRI for calcaneal (heel) fracture, the treatment is 3 months in a removable boot.
- If you have a positive MRI for plantar fascial tear, the treatment is 3 months in a removable boot.
- If you have a positive MRI for intense inflammation only, the tapered cortisone course, with contrasts and ice, with a short course of removable boot, with some PT or accupuncture are all helpful.
- If you have a positive MRI for any of the above, you may still have nerve trauma/sensitivity concurrently. The pain from nerves is difficult to treat, and has been solutions.
- If you have a negative MRI, then you have plantar heel bursitis (may not show well on MRI) or nerve trauma, or both. If I think there is bursitis, with a negative MRI, I like ice massage, physical therapy, or cortisone shots (which you correctly are not a fan of, but may be crucial).
For more information on heel pain please refer to our website at carolinafootspecialists.net
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
A new state of the art treatment for chronic heel pain is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections. A small amount of blood from the patient, similar to giving blood for a routine test. The vial of blood is subjected to very high speeds in a machine called a centrifuge. A yellow material is obtained containing cells called platelets, that are very abundant with factors that aid in healing. These growth factors are believed to decrease the inflammation causing plantar fasciitis. The platelets from the patient's own blood is injected into the area of pain in the heel. Patients are then fitted for a removable walking boot, and will use crutches to prevent putting any weight on the heel for one week or less. After that, they advance to sneakers, and although the range of time for pain relief is variable, it can be appreciated as early as 10-14 days.
For more information please contact our office at carolinafootspecialists.net
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common diagnosis that we see in our practice. 90% of the time plantar fasciitis can be cured with a conservative treatment plan. Please refer to our website for information on plantar fasciitis. If you feel like you have been experiencing plantar fasciitis and your symptoms haven't improved over the past several weeks please call our office for an evaluation.
Plantar fasciitis is commonly found in professional athletes. The following article is about a recent injury to the plantar fascia that Rajon Rondo suffered with the Boston Celtics.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/06/rajon-rondo-has-plantar-fasciitis-thats-bad/
Eli Mannings link on plantar fascial injury
NFL link plantar fascial injury
Heal that Heel Pain
By Dr. Andrew Saffer, DPM
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in your heel? If so you may be suffering from "heel pain syndrome", often referred to as "heel spurs." The typical signs and symptoms for this condition are usually severe pain upon first rising in the morning. Resting can provide only temporary relief. Typically, the pain reoccurs after sitting or resting and then rising. The intermittent pain often can progress to a dull aching pain.
Arch pain is often caused by frequent stress on the plantar aspect, or bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a supportive, fibrous band of tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. When the fascia becomes injured, pain on the bottom of the foot results.
Heel Spurs
Heel spur syndrome, related to plantar fasciitis, occurs after calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone. The spur itself is usually not the cause of pain; the pain is actually from the soft tissue injury to the fascia.
Conservative Treatment
A majority of patient's heel pain resolves completely with conservative treatment. Treatment includes rest from strenuous activity, application of ice, stretching exercises, foot strappings, night splints, foot orthotic devices, cortisone injections, immoblization with a walking boot, and physical therapy.
Shockwave Therapy (Non-invasive surgery)
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. This non-invasive out-patient treatment represents a breakthrough for this condition. Using a unique process known as Orthotripsy shock waves are emitted, similar to those used to treat kidney stones, to increase blood flow and stimulate healing of the affected heel. Shockwave therapy usually allows for patients to return to their activities within a day of the treatment. Some patients report immediate pain relief after treatment, although it can take up to four weeks for pain relief to commence. Shockwave therapy takes approximately 30 minutes and is performed as an outpatient or office procedure. In conclusion most patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis fully recover. Patients who have not responded to conservative treatment may benefit from shockwave therapy. It is a reasonable option to consider prior to surgical intervention, which involves releasing the plantar fascial ligament. The potential side-effects of shockwave therapy are minimal. Therefore, shockwave therapy is a safe alternative to surgery when patients have failed a minimum six months of conservative treatment.
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- NFL quarterback suffers stress fracture of foot
- Heal that Heel and Foot Pain
- State of the art surgical treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
- Limb length difference causing heel pain
- Bridge run Foot Injury Prevention series 2011
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