Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which your heel spur becomes sore and inflamed. There are various treatments for it. Some of these include Surgery, Physical Therapy, and Injection Therapy.
Nonsurgical treatments
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is caused by inflammation of a thick band of connective tissue, which stretches from the forefoot to the heel bone. It is a painful condition that affects men and women. The most common treatment is a nonsurgical approach, which is aimed at relieving the inflammation.
Nonsurgical treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, simple stretches, and strengthening exercises. In addition, custom orthotics may be prescribed. These devices help relieve the pressure on the foot, redistribute pressure, and control excessive pronation.
Cortisone injections are another treatment. These are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that are injected into the heel. However, cortisone may damage tissues. The injections can help reduce inflammation, but healing times are long. In some cases, surgery is needed.
Heel spurs are a calcium deposit that forms on the heel bone. They can be very painful to stand on. They can also cause pain in the arch. They can be related to plantar fasciitis, but they are not usually the primary reason for the condition.
Surgery
Heel spurs are painful bumps on the heel that often occur as a complication of plantar fasciitis. The spur can be removed with surgery. Whether you are suffering from plantar fasciitis or a bone spur, it’s important to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Heel spurs can be difficult to deal with, especially if they cause foot pain and limit your mobility. They can also lead to other complications, such as nerve damage and compartment syndrome.
Heel spur removal can be done with either open or minimally invasive techniques. The latter is often less traumatic for the tissues, and it can shorten recovery time.
The patient’s recovery time will vary, but typically includes about 12 weeks. The length of the recovery period depends on the procedure performed and the amount of time spent on the feet. A sedentary job may only require a couple of weeks off, while a more active job could require up to four weeks.
The doctor will recommend a plan of action to help you heal. Initially, you will need to avoid putting any weight on your feet. You will also need to wear a cast for up to three weeks.
Injection therapy
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. In the United States, more than a million patients visit their physicians each year for treatment. Most cases of plantar fasciitis heal within ten months. However, 10% of patients experience persistent pain.
For patients with severe symptoms, injection therapy can help. While injections do not cure the condition, they can reduce inflammation and pain. They can also ease the symptoms so that physical therapy can restore function.
Corticosteroid injections are a relatively inexpensive method of treating plantar fasciitis. They are administered by most family physicians in an outpatient setting. They can be very effective, although they are not as effective as exercise therapy.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are another treatment option. They are injections of the patient’s own blood. This triggers the body’s natural healing process. Sometimes they can rival the effectiveness of cortisone injections.
Aside from cortisone and PRP injections, other treatments include orthotic inserts and night splints. These can help reduce pain by stretching the arch and realigning it.
Physical therapy
Heel spurs can cause sharp pain when walking, especially during the early morning. Treatments for heel spurs can range from conservative to surgical.
Physical therapy is a good way to prevent and treat heel spurs. A physical therapist will assess your activities and lifestyle and design a program to improve your condition. The goal of physical therapy is to decrease inflammation and strengthen the supporting muscles. This will prevent future injury.
If you suffer from heel spurs, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend non-surgical treatments, such as stretching and icing. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may also help to relieve pain.
X-rays can confirm the diagnosis of heel spurs. A physical examination and MRI are also available. An MRI is sometimes used to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
A steroid injection can help reduce inflammation and provide some relief. However, multiple shots can weaken the plantar fascia. If you have chronic plantar fasciitis, your physician may suggest an extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) procedure.
