Plantar fasciitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the ligament that covers the bones on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is sometimes referred to as “Policeman’s Heel” and is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting up to two million people a year.
Penn orthopaedic specialists will almost always recommend conservative methods to treat heel pain. You should see a physician if you are experiencing:
- Pain and stiffness in the heel
- Increased pain and stiffness after long periods of inactivity (such as when you first wake up in the morning)
- Increased pain after standing on your feet for long periods of time or after exercise
Meet the team of experts who specialize in plantar fasciitis treatment
Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain Treatment Options
Nearly all cases of plantar fasciitis greatly improve with simple treatment methods and changes in lifestyle. Refraining from activities that cause the pain to worsen, such as running, jogging or other types of aerobic exercise, is a good place to start.
At Penn Orthopaedics, we will help create a treatment plan that consists of one or more of the following conservative therapies to help relieve your heel pain:
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injection
- Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
- Icing the area
- Night splints
- Physical therapy: Exercises that stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia
- Shock-wave therapy: High-energy shock wave impulses stimulate blood flow in the foot, promote healing of tissues and help reduce pain.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Heel Pain
For some patients who have not found relief from conservative management after trying it for at least a year, minimally invasive surgery may be a good option to alleviate heel pain from plantar fasciitis.
We perform plantar fascia release surgery percutaneously, meaning that needle biopsy is used. A small incision near the bottom of the foot allows the surgeon to shave down the plantar fascial attachment in order to relive tightness and tension. If bone spurs have developed, we’ll remove them during surgery as well. Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, plantar release surgery poses less risks and complications to the patient.
Plantar Fasciitis Surgery Recovery
After surgery, you will wear a cast for approximately two weeks to minimize pressure and allow healing. You will then be able to bear weight while wearing a boot or comfortable shoes with padding. You can expect to return to normal activity, including walking without assistance, around 6 to 8 weeks.
Getting plenty of rest and doing physical therapy are an important part of your recovery. Penn physical therapists create personalized recovery plans depending upon the severity of your condition.