There is a subset of individuals suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis who do not experience relief from conservative treatment methods such as orthotics, stretching exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications.
When it comes to addressing plantar fasciitis, there are instances where surgical intervention is advised. It is crucial, though, to have a thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with undergoing surgery for this condition.
What to Expect
The plantar fascia is a strong and dense connective tissue that serves as a bridge between your heel and foot. As time passes, this tissue can experience tears and become thicker, leading to inflammation and resulting in discomfort and pain. To learn more about plantar fasciitis and how to alleviate its symptoms, follow this link.
If conservative treatment doesn’t help, surgery may be the next step. Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you, including how it will be performed and the recovery process.
There are two main surgical options: open and endoscopic. Each method is designed to relieve the tension on a damaged portion of the plantar fascia.
Your surgeon will also consider other factors, such as the nature of your symptoms and if you have a co-existing condition of the foot or other anatomical problems that need to be addressed.
There are also risks associated with surgery, including infection and nerve damage. These complications can result in numbness or weakness in the foot.
Preparation
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common problems that affects the foot. It often occurs with no clear cause and can make walking or standing painful.
Thankfully, there are many nonsurgical treatment options that are effective. However, some people may require surgical treatment to relieve their pain and prevent recurrence.
Before surgery, your doctor may recommend changing your shoes and wearing orthotics to support the arch of your foot. They can also suggest physical therapy to stretch your foot muscles and reduce tension on the plantar fascia.
The goal of this treatment is to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms. It can take several months to heal your foot and prevent recurrence of pain.
If you have severe and chronic heel pain, your doctor might suggest surgery to release the tight plantar fascia. The procedure is called a fasciotomy and can be done as an open surgery or through a minimally invasive technique. It is a common, effective remedy for plantar fasciitis.
Procedure
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend surgery to relieve your pain. It’s usually reserved for patients who do not respond to nonsurgical treatment, which includes resting your foot and stretching the muscles in your calf.
During the surgery, your surgeon will make two small incisions on either side of your heel. Then he or she will insert an endoscope, which is a long instrument with a camera attached.
Once the surgeon has fully visualized your plantar fascia, he or she will cut some of it. This is done through one of the incisions and it will release some of the tension that’s causing your heel pain.
After the procedure is completed, your doctor will place a dry dressing over the incisions. You’ll be given instructions for recovery and you will need to avoid activities that increase your pain.
Recovery
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. It usually goes away with non-surgical treatment options like stretching exercises, shoe inserts, and wrapping the foot.
But when these treatments fail, doctors can perform surgery to release the tension in the ligament that runs from your heel to the toes. Surgical options include open (incision) and endoscopic surgery.
After surgery, your doctor will recommend a period of rest. You may wear a cast or splint until your foot heals, and you’ll have follow-up visits to make sure the procedure is working.
Recovery after open plantar fasciitis surgery typically takes 6 to 10 weeks, but you should be able to return to your normal activities and weight-bearing soon afterward. However, you should be careful not to put too much stress on the affected area, especially if you’re an athlete or have had high-impact exercise in the past.
While most patients recover well after fascia release, some complications have been reported, including nerve damage and failure to fully relieve heel pain. This is why it’s important to try conservative therapies first before considering surgery.
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