When I tell a patient with a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, I often tell them that I have good news and bad news for them. The good news is that the pain will go away. In fact, it disappears in 90% of cases. The bad news: you’ll have to be patient! Usually, healing occurs after 6 to 9 months of treatment. Unfortunately, no treatment provides instant results.

I tend to recommend a cortisone injection only if a good program that includes ice application, stretching, anti-inflammatory medication, and sometimes a foot orthotic does not improve the condition.

Some patients are sometimes very worried because they have heard “horror stories” about Lenoir’s thorn. It is good to set the record straight: the reality is that the majority of patients will eventually be fine. None of my patients for 25 years have had surgery, but I would not hesitate to recommend it if needed.

D^r Dominic Larose, MD