NEWS &
BLOG ARTICLES

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common complaints relating to the foot that Dr. Tuvi Mendel of Orthopaedic Specialists, sees in both men and women.  “The most common complaint that I receive from patients is that the bottom their heel feels stiff and is painful”, according to Dr. Mendel.  “In most patients, pain is usually worse first thing in the morning when a patient takes their first steps, but may also be experienced after exercise or after standing or sitting for an extended period of time and is most commonly seen in men age 40-70.”

Plantar Fasciitis is a result of the plantar fascia, which is the soft tissue that supports your arch, becoming inflamed.  Acting as a shock absorber with each step that is taken, it can sustain small tears which lead to pain and inflammation.  Some common factors that lead to plantar fasciitis are poor shoe wear, loss of your arch, obesity, abnormal running or walking and trauma.

Until recently, there really has not been a viable treatment option that relieved the pain of plantar fasciitis permanently or long term.  Dr. Mendel is the only foot and ankle surgeon in the Quad Cities that is currently able to offer a new minimally invasive treatment, which is designed to break down the damaged tissue in the heal.  Dr. Mendel uses an ultrasound imaging system during the procedure, that locates the damaged tissue in the tendon.  This is done by making a very small incision and then the tip of the ultrasound machine is inserted delivering ultrasonic energy which in turn, breaks down the damaged tissue and removes it.  Typically no sutures are required and patients leave the operating room with a steri strip covering the small incision.

Most patients are back to normal activities in 6 weeks or less with little to no pain.  For more information about this procedure and other procedures that Dr. Mendel performs, visit https://www.osquadcities.com/specialties/foot or call (563) 344-9292.