Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Study

STUDY BASICS

Do you have pain in your heel that makes standing or walking uncomfortable? Have you been diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis and have tried common treatments (ex., ice, inserts, orthotics, cortisone shots, therapy, etc.) for 6 months with no improvement? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if fat grafting can decrease heel pain.

STUDY PURPOSE

Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the flat band of tissue stretching from the heel to the ball of the foot) is the most common cause of heel pain. Most cases of acute plantar fasciitis can be managed conservatively over six months with stretches, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, shoe inserts, and other therapies. However, for 10-20% of people with plantar fasciitis, the condition recurs and common therapy options fail to help the heel pain. The purpose of this study is to find out if fat grafting can help decrease heel pain and improve the thickness of the plantar fascia tissue in people with chronic plantar fasciitis. Fat grafting is a minimally invasive surgery where fat is taken from one part of the body and used to restore another.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18 and up
• Diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis
• Have used common treatments such as ice, shoe inserts, orthotics, cortisone shots, etc. for at least the past six months
• No tobacco use within the past year
• Not pregnant

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation in the study lasts about 12-18 months, and includes a screening visit and at least six in-person study visits. Procedures include blood draws, physical exams, questionnaires, and ultrasounds, x-rays, and photos of feet. Participants who qualify will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) into one of two different study groups. While both groups will undergo the fat grafting procedure, some participants will first have an additional six months of the common non-invasive treatments mentioned above. During the fat grafting procedure, a person’s own fat is taken from areas throughout the body (usually the thighs or abdomen) with a small liposuction tube. The fat is then transferred into the plantar fascia near the heel.