Plantar Fascitis Essay

Submitted By coco5485
Words: 391
Pages: 2

Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint (PF Night Splint)

Diagnosis:

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects the heel bone to the toes. It supports the arch of the foot. If a patient strains the plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then the heel or the bottom of the foot hurts when the patient stands or walks.
Plantar Fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

United States Statistics:

Plantar Fasciitis affects about 10% of the population at some time during life and accounts for one million orthopedic outpatient visits annually (1).
1. Neufeld SK, Cerrato R. Plantar fasciitis: evaluation and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2008;16(6):338-346.
Modalities (nonsurgical) for treatment of Plantar Fasciitis:

If nonsurgical methods such as rest, ice, and stretching exercises help relieve the symptoms, the patient should continue using them. If the symptoms have not improved after 6 weeks, the physician may recommend that the patient continue those methods but add other nonsurgical treatments, such as: 0. PF Night Splints: A night splint holds the foot with the toes pointed up and with the foot and ankle at a 90-degree angle. This position applies a constant, gentle stretch to the plantar fascia while the patient is at rest or at sleep. 0. 0.