Plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain, is an inflammation of the connective tissue called the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot. The condition accounts for 11 percent to 15 percent of all foot symptoms requiring professional care and affects one million people annually in the U.S.

Even though the condition is not dangerous or life threatening, the pain can be severe and most often chronic, and it can affect the quality of life. Conservative treatments include rest, exercises to stretch the fascia, night splints and arch supports. But they take a long time to respond and at times ineffective.

Shockwave therapy has been tried in which sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain to stimulate healing. But it is painful, requires multiple treatments and is not always effective. Complications may include bruising, swelling, pain, numbness or tingling and rupture of the plantar fascia. Desperate patients may sometimes opt for invasive surgery to detach the fascia from the heel bone.

In the new study, under local anaesthesia, the aesthetic needle is used to repeatedly puncture the site where the patient feels the pain. This technique is known as dry-needling. Dry-needling creates a small amount of local bleeding that helps to heal the fasciitis. Lastly, a steroid is injected around the fascia to eliminate the inflammation and pain. The technique is performed with ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and to avoid injecting the steroids directly into the plantar fascia, which could result in rupture.

The study included 44 patients with plantar fasciitis that was unresponsive to conservative treatments. After the 15-minute procedure, symptoms disappeared for 42 of the study's 44 patients (95 percent) within three weeks.

The study’s lead author was Luca M. Sconfienza, M.D., from Italy's University of Genoa. Co-authors are Francesca Lacelli, M.D., Giovanni Serafini, M.D., Giacomo Garlaschi, M.D., and Enzo Silvestri, M.D.

"Our new technique is an effective, one-time outpatient procedure." Dr. Sconfienza said. "In cases of mild plantar fasciitis, patients should first try non-invasive solutions before any other treatments. But when pain becomes annoying and affects the activities of daily living, dry-needling with steroid injection is a viable option."

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Had Dry Needling surgery Dec. 12, 2008 - so FAR GREAT!!!!
written by Cheryle Struble, December 15, 2008

I had been in chronic pain for the past four years. Tried all the stretching, bracing, foot orthotics, etc. Nothing worked. My quality of life had diminished. Since surgery only a few days ago I can say I am a new woman. My feet feel great, my mornings I am able to hop right out of bed. I can now walk and exercise with no pain whatsoever. Dr. Summy, in Bellevue Nebraska is the one to thank for giving me my life back. THANKS!!!!!!

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