Page Contents
- 1 WHAT IS IT?
- 2 WHAT CAUSES IT?
- 3 WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
- 4 WHAT MAKES US SUSPECT IT?
- 5 CLINICAL WORKUP
- 6 AT WHAT POINT DO WE CONFIDENT IN MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS?
- 7 WHAT ELSE ARE WE WORRIED ABOUT?
- 8 HOW DO WE TREAT IT?
- 9 HOW WELL DO THE PATIENTS DO?
- 10 WAS THERE A WAY TO PREVENT IT?
- 11 OTHER FACTS?
- 12 FURTHER READING
WHAT IS IT?
Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative/inflammatory condition that involves the plantar fascia.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
This condition is thought to be caused by the overuse of the foot/by repetitive microtrauma of the plantar fascia. Bone spurs on the heel may also develop.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
This condition can be very painful to patients.
WHAT MAKES US SUSPECT IT?
Risk factors
Persons who spend a great deal of time standing/walking, obesity, flat feet (yes planus)
Common Chief Complaints:
- Heel pain
History Of Present Illness
Length of symptoms: often patients will have symptoms for a long period of time before seeking treatment.
Physical Exam Findings
Musculoskeletal exam: tenderness on the underside of the heel.
Positive windlass test: with the patient’s foot in the weight-bearing position, the examiner disiflexkes the hallux on the first metatarsal (which in turn stretches the plantar fascia). The test is considered positive if the patient reports pain with this maneuver.
CLINICAL WORKUP
AT WHAT POINT DO WE CONFIDENT IN MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS?
WHAT ELSE ARE WE WORRIED ABOUT?
HOW DO WE TREAT IT?
HOW WELL DO THE PATIENTS DO?
WAS THERE A WAY TO PREVENT IT?
OTHER FACTS?
Policemen’s heel is another term used to describe this condition.
FURTHER READING
Page Updated: 08.31.2016