Plantar fasciitis: evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain in active as well as sedentary adults of all ages. The condition is more likely to occur in persons who are obese or in those who are on their feet most of the day. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is based on the patient's history and physical findings. The accuracy of radiologic studies in diagnosing plantar heel pain is unknown. Most interventions used to manage plantar fasciitis have not been studied adequately; however, shoe inserts, stretching exercises, steroid injection, and custom-made night splints may be beneficial. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy may effectively treat runners with chronic heel pain but is ineffective in other patients. Limited evidence suggests that casting or surgery may be beneficial when conservative measures fail.

• Authors: Charles Cole, Craig Seto, John Gazewood
• Journal: American family physician (Am Fam Physician) Vol. 72 Issue 11 Pg. 2237-42 (Dec 01 2005) ISSN: 0002-838X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16342847 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Fasciitis, Plantar (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Prognosis