Plantar Fasciitis

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Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Conservative treatment is almost always successful in this population, given enough time. Duration of treatment can be anywhere from several months to two years before symptoms resolve, although about 90% of patients will be better in 9 months. Initial treatment usually consists of heel stretching exercises, shoe inserts, night splints, and anti-inflammatory medications. If these fail, casting the affected foot in a short leg cast (a cast up to but not above the knee) for 3 to 6 weeks is very often successful in reducing pain and inflammation.

Some physicians will offer steroid injections, which provide lasting relief in about 50% of people. However, this injection is very painful and not for everyone.

In few patients, non-surgical treatment fails and surgery to release the tight, inflamed fascia becomes necessary.