Q: Which doctor treats plantar fasciitis?
A: Plantar fasciitis is treated by an orthopedic specialist or a podiatrist.
Q: Can plantar fasciitis be completely cured with conservative treatments?
A: Most cases of plantar fasciitis completely recover with conservative treatments. However, the condition does recur in several cases.
Q: Can recurrences of plantar fasciitis be prevented?
A: Recurrences of plantar fasciitis may be prevented if the underlying cause is treated. For example, if the person is overweight, reducing weight will be useful. Patients should also avoid walking barefoot and wear shoes that provide good support to the foot. They should replace their shoes once they wear out. They should also avoid standing for prolonged durations, especially with high-heeled shoes.
Q: Is heel spur or plantar fasciitis one and the same?
A: No. Heel spur is a bony outgrowth of the heel bone that may or may not be associated with plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs may be felt on palpation or may be visualized on x-ray.
