Cover Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
ISSN:
8750-7315
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Article Type:
Clinical Pathology
Online Publication Date:
May 2003

Plantar Fasciitis

A Degenerative Process (Fasciosis) Without Inflammation

Harvey Lemont Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

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Krista M. Ammirati Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

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Nsima Usen Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-93-3-234
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The authors review histologic findings from 50 cases of heel spur surgery for chronic plantar fasciitis. Findings include myxoid degeneration with fragmentation and degeneration of the plantar fascia and bone marrow vascular ectasia. Histologic findings are presented to support the thesis that “plantar fasciitis” is a degenerative fasciosis without inflammation, not a fasciitis. These findings suggest that treatment regimens such as serial corticosteroid injections into the plantar fascia should be reevaluated in the absence of inflammation and in light of their potential to induce plantar fascial rupture. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 93(3): 234-237, 2003)

Corresponding author: Harvey Lemont, DPM, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Eighth at Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
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