The Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is primarily based on the presentation of symptoms and physical examination. Patients usually complain of heel pain at the medial calcaneal tubercle when taking their first step in the morning or when walking after resting. Diagnostic imaging is rarely required for the initial diagnosis of plantar fasciitis; however, it can be used for differential diagnosis. Conservative treatments, such as stretching, rest, ice massage, oral analgesics, foot orthotics, use of night splint, and corticosteroid injection, may be effective. The majority of patients report improvement with conservative treatments, and those who show no response from conservative treatments for a duration of six months or longer can consider extracorporeal shock wave therapy or surgery.