Plantar fasciitis is a persistent ailment characterized by discomfort along the robust strip of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes’ foundation. This condition can cause chronic pain and contribute to a range of difficulties in daily activities.
There are various treatment options available for plantar fasciitis. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as NSAIDs, can help alleviate the discomfort. Additionally, corticosteroid injections may be administered to reduce inflammation in the affected area. It is also recommended to perform stretching exercises to help strengthen the muscles and relieve tension on the plantar fascia. Despite these conservative treatments, around 5% of patients may not experience significant improvement and may need to consider surgical intervention.
1. It’s Not a Permanent Solution
A large number of individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis are able to find relief without undergoing surgery. Nonetheless, there are instances where surgery becomes necessary if alternate forms of treatment are unsuccessful in alleviating heel pain.
While plantar fasciitis is a painful condition, most people recover in several months with conservative treatments like icing, stretching, and arch supports. Your doctor will also likely recommend avoiding activities that increase your risk for further heel pain.
The plantar fascia ligament extends from your heel to the ball of your foot. Its tension can cause chronic heel pain and inflammation.
Plantar fascia release surgery can lengthen the plantar fascia and reduce the chances of recurrence. Sometimes, it can also remove bone spurs that protrude on the heel bone and cause more pain.
2. It’s a Long-Term Solution
If you have persistent heel pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments like stretching, icing, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), then surgery might be the solution. It can be a great way to reduce pain and restore foot function, but it should only be considered after all other options have failed.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects about 1 in 10 people. It’s a painful inflammation of the tissue that runs from the bottom of your heel to the ball of your foot.
It’s usually caused by wearing poor-fitting shoes, long-distance running, and obesity. However, it can also be a result of faulty foot structure or biomechanical problems in the ankle joint.
During surgery, your doctor will make an incision on the side of your heel and insert an endoscope and special instruments through it to cut out the damaged section of your plantar fascia. The recovery time is typically three to six weeks with endoscopic surgery, or 6-10 weeks with open surgery.
3. It’s Not Cheap
Plantar fasciitis surgery isn’t cheap, and costs vary a lot by location and your insurance. Surgeon’s fees, facility costs and services like anesthesia and follow-up care are all significant factors in the cost of plantar fasciitis surgery.
Surgery is typically recommended as the last resort if non-surgical methods like rest, orthotics and physical therapy have not helped relieve pain. It’s an important decision, but it should be made carefully and with your doctor.
4. It’s Not Easy
When you’re trying to heal your plantar fasciitis, it’s important to exhaust all non-surgical treatment options before considering surgery. That includes stretching exercises, shoe inserts, wrapping the foot, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and extracorporeal shock wave treatments.
However, surgery is an option for patients who have not responded to other treatment methods or who have significant heel pain and deformity. It can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods, like physical therapy, to achieve the best results.
Surgical techniques can include an open or endoscopic procedure. During an open surgery, your surgeon makes a small cut in your heel to expose the plantar fascia and loosen any trapped nerves or bone spurs. An endoscopic procedure involves two small incisions under your ankle bone, each less than half an inch long. The surgeon inserts a small camera and an endoscope into one of these openings to release your plantar fascia. Afterward, the incisions are sutured and bandaged.
