Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Treatment for plantar fasciitis is expensive and ineffective

Angry Orthopod, MD
Conditions
March 28, 2011
117 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

There are nearly 2 million cases of plantar fasciitis in the United States every year. As an orthopaedic surgeon, I’m quite familiar with this issue since nearly 20 percent of my patients come to me about plantar fasciitis.

Although there is a surefire way to fix the problem, the current treatments aren’t really addressing the issue, and they are costing millions for those who suffer from the heel pain. Many are quick to blame the chosen treatments on profit, but I’m here to set the record straight.

There are two main factors that are contributors to mistreatment, neither of which is profit. Many doctors dealing with plantar fasciitis think their treatment plans are the right course of action. That is, expensive surgeries, useless orthotics, and temporary relief through medicine. The other factor leading to the mistreatment is that patients are demanding these treatments; despite how medical studies have shown they are ineffective. Many believe that a surgery will fix their plantar fasciitis problems; it’s a misconception that surgery is what they need.

Honestly, I don’t think the patients or the doctors know how expensive these treatments end up. In 2007 alone, there was an estimated $376 million in expenses for third parties. But what about the patient costs?

The authors of this study revealed that this estimate is low, and I have to agree; it’s definitely a conservative number since the patient’s expenses aren’t part of the study. The study doesn’t take into account lost time from work, OTC items, chiropractic visits, acupuncture, night splints, diagnostic studies, among other costs.

So what should we learn from this? An exorbitant amount of money is spent on these treatments every year, but the real issue isn’t just the expense, it’s that most treatments are unnecessary and ineffective.

How much have you paid to relieve your plantar fasciitis problems? Were the treatments effective?

“Angry Orthopod” is an orthopedic surgeon who blogs at his self-titled site, The Angry Orthopod.

Submit a guest post and be heard on social media’s leading physician voice.

Prev

Calling in sick serves as a reminder for compassion for this doctor

March 28, 2011 Kevin 4
…
Next

Implications of the surgical buy in when discussing informed consent

March 28, 2011 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Specialist, Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Calling in sick serves as a reminder for compassion for this doctor
Next Post >
Implications of the surgical buy in when discussing informed consent

More by Angry Orthopod, MD

  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    A good doctor should rarely be surprised by test results

    Angry Orthopod, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Evidence based medicine removes a physician’s autonomy

    Angry Orthopod, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Why physicians are clueless about malpractice implications of DVTs

    Angry Orthopod, MD

More in Conditions

  • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

    Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD
  • Communication, power dynamics, and organizational culture in health care

    Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP
  • Everyday dangers unknowingly impacting our health

    Tami Burdick
  • A shop teacher’s daughter on transforming patient safety

    Barbara L. Olson, RN
  • What happened to the chemical pathologist?

    Martin C. Young, MD
  • Second chances and simple beauty in thrift stores

    Debbie Moore-Black, RN
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician
    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Physician return-to-work policies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 32 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Chronic Stress and Dementia; Hormones and Brain Health; Dementia Protection Neurons?
  • Physicians, Here's How to Increase Your Pay
  • Low Relapse Rates With Twice-Yearly Schizophrenia Treatment
  • Fast-Acting Spray for PSVT; Undiscounted Entresto's Value; CTCA-Aided Angiography
  • FDA Greenlights Test for Cancer-Predisposing Genetic Mutations

Meeting Coverage

  • Low Relapse Rates With Twice-Yearly Schizophrenia Treatment
  • Menopause Can Negatively Affect Women's Careers
  • Sexual Activity Lowers Risk of Side Effects After Cervical Cancer Treatment
  • Hot Flashes: Precursor to Alzheimer's Disease?
  • SABR Offers New Hope for Older Patients With Inoperable Kidney Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician
    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Physician return-to-work policies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Treatment for plantar fasciitis is expensive and ineffective
32 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...