How can I avoid plantar fasciitis surgery?
Plantar fasciitis, a common foot condition, can often be effectively treated using conservative methods. These include regularly performing stretching exercises, utilizing over-the-counter NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, using night splints, utilizing custom orthotics, considering cortisone injections, exploring platelet-rich plasma injections, and possibly undergoing extracorporeal shock wave therapy. It is important to note that while these treatments prove successful for most individuals, there are instances where some people may not experience relief from their plantar fasciitis symptoms despite these efforts.
Individuals who continue to suffer from chronic pain despite undergoing treatment are susceptible to experiencing the condition more frequently in the future. This can potentially give rise to additional complications and difficulties. As a result, surgical intervention is occasionally suggested as a treatment option for plantar fasciitis.
To alleviate your symptoms, it is advisable to begin with self-care techniques. These measures involve taking rest, applying ice to your foot (using ice packs, frozen peas, or a thin towel), and engaging in gentle exercise and stretching routines. Implementing these practices can help in reducing discomfort and promoting healing. For additional information on foot care, click here.
You should also avoid putting too much pressure on your feet by choosing shoes that have good arch support and are designed for walking, running, or other activities. It is also a good idea to get professional advice from a podiatrist on how to wear the right footwear for your activity and how to prevent heel pain in the first place.
Your doctor will also check your feet to see if there is any other cause of your pain, such as a bone spur on your heel bone. This is rare and not always the case, and many people have a bone spur that has no pain at all.
Keeping a healthy weight can also contribute to preventing plantar fasciitis. Patients who are overweight are more likely to develop the condition because they are carrying more weight on their feet, which puts more stress on the plantar fascia and calf muscles.
A large percentage of our patients who come in for heel pain are carrying a lot of weight. These patients are usually trying to lose a few pounds and they do not realise that the extra weight adds stress on their plantar fascia and calf muscles.
Over time, this weight gain can cause the plantar fascia to become weak and stretched which is when they start to feel pain. It is therefore important to keep a balanced weight and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and to maintain regular exercise.
If your heel pain does not improve after two months of self-management, then it is a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare provider. A doctor will look at your medical history, examine your feet and may recommend steroid injections into the plantar fascia or other treatments.
Then your doctor will probably refer you to a specialist in treating conditions of the foot and ankle, known as a podiatrist. A podiatrist can show you ways to stretch and strengthen your feet, which will reduce the pain and inflammation.
Physiotherapy can also help. It is available free of charge on the NHS in many areas. It is important to note that physiotherapy can be difficult to access and waiting times can be long.
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