How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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For the treatment of plantar fasciitis, there are currently two approaches clinically. The first is conservative treatment, which includes the following options: The first is rest, meaning to minimize weight-bearing walking and rest as much as possible. The second is to use heat application, such as applying a hot towel to the sole of the foot for 10-20 minutes each day, twice a day, which can help increase local blood circulation and alleviate pain. The third is the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to relieve local pain. The fourth is extracorporeal shock wave therapy for relief. The fifth, and most commonly used, is injection therapy, but it is important to note that there are clear limits on the number of times injection therapy can be used. If conservative treatment does not work for over six months, or if the symptoms of plantar fasciitis progressively worsen, surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How to cure plantar fasciitis?

In clinical practice, there are currently two methods for treating plantar fasciitis. The first method is the most commonly seen conservative treatment, such as using rest, wearing orthotic shoes, and utilizing acupuncture, massage, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, and local infiltration therapy to alleviate the symptoms of foot pain caused by the plantar fascia while walking. However, if conservative treatment does not yield results after six months or if the pain intensifies and severely affects weight-bearing walking, then it may become necessary to proceed with the second method of treatment, which is surgical intervention. The goals of surgical treatment include, firstly, loosening the plantar fascia and, secondly, removing bone spurs, as a significant number of patients with plantar fasciitis also develop bone spurs. Therefore, along with loosening the fascia, it is necessary to excise the bone spurs to relieve the symptoms of foot pain.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is plantar fasciitis prone to recurrence?

First of all, it is necessary to explain that patients with plantar fasciitis, even after recovery, can easily relapse if they overuse their feet for a long time, or are exposed to prolonged cold and damp conditions. Therefore, plantar fasciitis is prone to recurrence. It is important to avoid long periods of weight-bearing walking, minimize local irritation, and never let the feet become cold. It is essential to persistently perform hot washes daily. During the hot wash, peppercorns and salt can be added to the hot water for washing, or external use of traditional Chinese herbs that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis can be boiled and used for fumigation washes. Additionally, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs orally along with drugs that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis can effectively treat plantar fasciitis. (Please follow the doctor's prescription for medication use.)

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Will plantar fasciitis cause pain on the top of the foot?

Generally speaking, it is not the case. Plantar fasciitis is mostly characterized by distinct pain at the point where the muscles and fascia on the bottom of the foot connect with the bones, especially during walking or other activities, where a clear pain point can be observed. Top-of-the-foot pain should not be ruled out as being caused by other reasons, such as soft tissue injuries on the top of the foot, gout, or local tissue damage due to accidental strains. Therefore, plantar fasciitis does not induce pain on the top of the foot, unless there are soft tissue injuries and inflammation in both the plantar and dorsal areas of the foot, which would result in corresponding pain in both areas.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Can you still exercise with plantar fasciitis?

Patients with plantar fasciitis can exercise, but there are definite restrictions on the type of exercise. For instance, it is best to avoid weight-bearing exercises such as running, weightlifting, or mountain climbing. For patients with plantar fasciitis, we recommend swimming because it involves limb, muscle, and fascia activities in a non-weight-bearing situation, which is greatly beneficial and not harmful to the fascia. Swimming is our recommended approach, as it can also appropriately stretch the plantar fascia during the process, thereby helping to alleviate foot pain.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How is plantar fasciitis treated?

The treatment of plantar fasciitis currently is divided into two methods in clinical practice. The first method is conservative treatment, which includes rest, avoiding strenuous exertion and excessive weight-bearing walking. It can be managed with physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and local block injections. If conservative treatments do not improve the condition or even if the pain progressively worsens over more than half a year, severely affecting daily life, surgical treatment may be necessary. The objectives of surgical treatment are firstly to release the plantar fascia and secondly to remove bone, as a significant portion of patients with plantar fasciitis also have heel spurs; therefore, the surgical procedure involves the removal of these bone spurs to alleviate the pain.