title: Plantar fasciitis: what is the diagnosis and treatment?
abstract: Foot pain, specifically plantar heel pain, is a common complaint among patients in a podiatric or orthopaedic office setting but may be seen in primary care offices, urgent care centers, or emergency departments as well. There are numerous causes for heel pain, but plantar fasciitis is the most frequent cause. The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is generally made clinically, but there are many diagnostic modalities that may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of plantar fasciitis ranges from conservative measures to surgical interventions, but most cases of plantar fasciitis can be managed conservatively. There is no definitive treatment proven to be the best option for plantar fasciitis. Treatment is patient dependent and commonly requires a combination of different modalities to successfully alleviate the symptoms. In this article, plantar fasciitis from defining the disorder, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.
authors: Rachel E. Johnson, RN, DPM, is an Assistant Professor of the Podiatric Medicine Department at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, 6000 Rockside Woods Blvd. Independence, OH 44131. She can be reached at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine 216.231.3300 or by email at rjohn112@kent.edu. Kimberly Haas, DPM PGY-1, is currently a first year Podiatric resident at the University Hospital Richmond Medical Center/Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Kyle Lindow, MSIII, is a third year podiatric medical student at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Robert Shields, MSIII, is a third year podiatric medical student at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine.
authors: Rachel E
authors: RE
authors: Johnson
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Haas
authors: Kyle
authors: K
authors: Lindow
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Shields
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography