CHRONIC PLANTAR HEEL PAIN - TREATMENT WITH A SHORT LEG WALKING CAST

The efficacy of a short leg walking cast in the treatment of chronic p lantar heel pain was assessed for 32 patients with 37 involved extremi ties treated over a P-year period. All patients had failed numerous ot her treatment modalities and had been symptomatic for an average of 1 year. Long-term follow-up for 24 patients with 28 involved extremities revealed complete resolution of pain for 7 extremities (25%), improve ment for 17 (61%), and no improvement for 4 (14%). Ten (42%) patients were completely satisfied with cast treatment, 3 (12%) were satisfied with reservations, and 11 (46%) were dissatisfied. Casting appears to be a reasonable option for patients with recalcitrant heel pain and sh ould be offered before surgical intervention.