Plantar Fasciitis: Low-Cost Treatment Interventions in Primary Care

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis, the most common diagnosis of chronic heel pain, is at an epidemic proportion. The condition affects 1 in 6 Americans regardless of age or activity level, resulting in over 1 million outpatient visits annually. Plantar fasciitis is a common presentation in primary care and is frequently diagnosed and managed by nurse practitioners. Treatment options include a myriad of interventions ranging from conservative, noninvasive therapies to invasive, surgical modalities. For those affected, the majority will have symptom resolution in 12 to 18 months with conservative treatments. The decision of an individualized treatment plan based on best practice measures can be intricate and time-consuming, especially if the patient is uninsured or underinsured. This article applies the currently available evidence to discuss low-cost, noninvasive treatment interventions for use in the primary care nurse practitioner’s office.