Redefining Plantar Fasciitis

   In our practice heel pain is one of the most common diagnosis that we see in our practice. Over the next few months we would like to discuss a condition called "Plantar Fasciosis." This is typically a chronic form of heel pain that has been present for more than two to three months and unresponsive to conservative treatment. Perhaps one of the most pivotal points to address is the fact that what we commonly call plantar fasciitis is not inflammatory but is actually a well documented degenerative condition (Plantar Fasciosis).

In his landmark 2003 study, Lemont demonstrated that there were no histological mediators of inflammation within 50 specimens sent by surgeons for pathological examination from their surgical cases treating plantar fasciitis. He correctly points out that we should really call this condition “plantar fasciosis” because of its degenerative nature without the presence of inflammation.

In our future blogs we will discuss plantar fasciosis in more detail and discuss treatment options to help accelerate healing of this chronically degenerative condition of the plantar fascia.