INTRODUCTION

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most commonly reported cause of inferior heel pain. It has been estimated that it affects as much as 10% of the general population over the course of a lifetime. In fact, some authors have reported that PF accounts for between 8% and 15% of foot complaints in nonathletic and athletic populations. (1) It is estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis during their lifetime. (1)(4) It is more common in middle-aged obese females and young male athletes have a higher incidence in the athletic population. Heel spurs have commonly been implicated as a risk factor for PF. PF is usually unilateral, but up to 30% of cases have a bilateral presentation. The tightness of Achilles tendon is found in almost 80% of cases. The typical resolution time of plantar fasciitis is anywhere from 6 to 18 months and sometimes longer, which can lead to dissatisfaction of patient and physician. Most experts agree that early recognition and management of PF leads to the short course of treatment and a greater chance of success with conservative therapies. (2)

Numerous interventions have been described for treatment of PF, which include: rest, heat, ice pack, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), heel pads, magnetic insole, night splints, walking cast, taping, plantar and Achilles stretching, ultrasound, steroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic field therapy, and surgery. (2) Of these, the tissue-specific plantar fascia and calf stretching is more effective than low dose shock wave therapy in the acute phase of PF. And about local injections of steroids, there is no gold standard regarding the types and doses of local injection of corticosteroids. (2)(5)