Plantar Fasciitis

What is a fascia?

The fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is a condition resulting from inflammation of the fascia. It can be extremely painful, and it is the most common type of heel pain in adults.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is most often experienced by those between the ages of 40 and 60, but it is more than twice as prevalent in women as in men. Also, it is more common among runners (and at younger ages), as the repetitive microtrauma to the heel caused by running is thought to be the cause. Additional causes may include being overweight, having flat feet, prolonged standing and type II diabetes.
Therapist applying shockwave therapy to a patient's foot

Treatment Options for plantar fasciitis

For most, conservative treatment such as icing, massage, taping, stretching, medication or orthotics will help manage the pain until it resolves on its own. Up to 20% of those with plantar fasciitis will require more aggressive treatment, as well as those who cannot wait up to 12 months it may take to heal itself.

Surgery to “release” the fascia is sometimes recommended to relieve pressure and restore blood flow to the heel. However, up to 44% of patients may still experience swelling and tenderness up to 10 years after the surgery.1 In addition, complications such as nerve injury, biomechanical instability and recurrent heel pain can occur.
Other, less invasive options such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) or high intensity laser therapy (HILT)/low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are available. However, these require multiple treatment sessions and have a success rate between 74-76% (ESWT)2 and 51-73% (laser therapy).3 Additionally, healing from these procedures may be slowed with the use of anti-inflammatory medications4 and patients who have had a recent corticosteroid injection, those with implanted devices or hormones, and those with open wounds around the treatment site are not eligible for the ESWT procedure. Other treatments, such as botulinum toxin injections, have very little evidence to support their effectiveness.
A new treatment for plantar fasciitis is available from the doctors at North Star Vascular & Interventional. Called Plantar Fasciitis Embolization or PFE, this minimally invasive procedure may be the alternative you’re looking for.
View Treatment

International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS)

Answer each question about your urinary symptoms over the past month. Your total score is calculated instantly.

0 of 7 answered

1. Incomplete Emptying: How often have you had the sensation of not emptying your bladder?

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2. Frequency: How often have you had to urinate less than every two hours?

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3. Intermittency: How often have you found you stopped and started again several times when you urinated?

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4. Urgency: How often have you found it difficult to postpone urination?

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5. Weak Stream: How often have you had a weak urinary stream?

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6. Straining: How often have you had to strain to start urination?

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7. Nocturia: How many times did you typically get up at night to urinate?

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Please answer all questions to see your score.

Your I-PSS score

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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.

Talk to our team

WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index

Rate each activity by the degree of difficulty you have experienced in the last 48 hours due to your knee.

0 of 24 answered

Pain

1. Walking

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2. Stair climbing

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3. Nocturnal

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4. Rest

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5. Weight bearing

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Stiffness

1. Morning stiffness

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2. Stiffness occurring later in the day

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Physical Function

1. Descending stairs

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2. Ascending stairs

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3. Rise from sitting

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4. Standing

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5. Bending to floor

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6. Walking on flat surface

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7. Getting in/out of car

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8. Going shopping

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9. Putting on socks

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10. Lying in bed

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11. Taking off socks

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12. Rising from bed

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13. Getting in/out of bath

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14. Sitting

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15. Getting on/off toilet

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16. Heavy domestic duties

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17. Light domestic duties

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Please answer all questions to see your score.

Your WOMAC score

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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.

Talk to our team

Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI)

Rate each item by your current level of difficulty. Higher scores indicate better foot and ankle function.

0 of 26 answered

Activity

1. Standing

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2. Walking on even ground

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3. Walking on even ground without shoes

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4. Walking up hills

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5. Walking down hills

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6. Going up stairs

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7. Going down stairs

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8. Walking on uneven ground

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9. Stepping up and down curbs

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10. Squatting

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11. Sleeping

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12. Coming up to your toes

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13. Walking initially

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14. Walking 5 minutes or less

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15. Walking approximately 10 minutes

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16. Walking 15 minutes or greater

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17. Home responsibilities

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18. Activities of daily living

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19. Personal care

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20. Light to moderate work (standing, walking)

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21. Heavy work (push/pulling, climbing, carrying)

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22. Recreational activities

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Pain

23. General level of pain

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24. Pain at rest

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25. Pain during your normal activity

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26. Pain first thing in the morning

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Please answer all questions to see your score.

Your FADI score

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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.

Talk to our team

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