Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, then chances are you have exhausted all options and are completely fed up with the ongoing pain plantar fasciitis can bring. With this comprehensive surgery guide you will be able to weigh up your options and understand the effect that Plantar Fasciitis surgery will have on you.

According to statistics, one out of every five people suffers from Plantar Fasciitis. Think of that nagging pain on your heel when you try to walk or even run. Well, through surgery, you never have to become a victim of it again.

As they say, numbers never lie and about 5% of patients who have tried different modes of treatment and have not succeeded have been known to find relief through surgery.

The patient success rate? It is estimated at 70-80%. This means that surgeries that are performed on Plantar Fasciitis patients are highly successful. While a good number of patients may not necessarily need surgery, those who experience more complications than others often do.

If you fall into the latter category, then it is about time that you sought out the best solution.When cortisone injections no longer work then you definitely know that it is time for surgery!

Why surgery?

While many doctors may advise their patients to try out other treatment options first before looking at surgery, patients who are suffering from severe Plantar Fasciitis find it difficult to get relief. The most common kind of surgery is referred to as the Plantar Fascia Release.

It involves cutting part of the fascia ligament to relieve inflammation or making the release through a small series of incisions. A camera is usually used to locate the fascia.

Surgery may be the only option to relieve the pain and tension that affects you. This aims at cutting between 30 and 50% of the facials fiber. Through this surgical procedure, the pull and stress that is applied on the affected leg will ensure that you will not be able to experience any more pain.

In today’s world, endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release has become overly popular because it is associated with a decrease in recovery time.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

It is always important to be well-informed about the plantar fascia surgical procedure in order to determine whether you want to go through with it. Surgery is not risk-free, and even though fascia surgery is not exactly a high-risk procedure, informed patients will ensure that they make the right decision about their health.

Do not be in a rush to have a surgical procedure, it is important to get a second opinion and to be well-covered under your health plan. As the procedure out-of-pocket costs about $10000, insurance ensures that you do not have to incur the costs on your own.

Open Vs. Endoscopic Surgery

‘Open’ surgery often involves cutting a surgical area open, however, the endoscopic approach is known to minimize surgical trauma. It also enables the patient to recover quickly and resume his or her daily activities within a short while.

Gastrocnemius recession

This is another fascia surgical procedure that involves lengthening of the calf muscles. This is because tight calf muscles are known to be strenuous thus the lengthening of the calf often increases the motion of the ankle.

Plantar Fascia detachment

The process of detaching the plantar fascia from the bone surface allows it to heal under less tension. The detachment also enables your surgeon to remove a portion of the damaged tissue.

The Risks and rewards of a plantar fasciitis surgery

Risks:

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to be fully aware of all the risks that come with the procedure. They include:

Worsening of symptoms

If the procedure is not done properly, then your symptoms may worsen. This can also occur if the injury does nto heel properly after surgery.

Infection

Almost all surgeries have the possibility of infection. If caught early enough, antibiotics may be used. Infections can have detrimental effects during the healing process, so it is important to monitor this.

Nerve problems

Nerve damage often results in tingling, numbness or weakness in the foot. If you notice this post surgery, consult with your doctor.

Fallen arch

When too much of the fascia is released, it can cause the arch of the foot to fall or collapse.

Read more about complications with plantar fasciitis release

Rewards:

Patients may be cured of plantar fasciitis

If other modes of treatment hasn’t worked for you, then surgery might be a good option. There is overwhelming evidence supporting the procedure to be a successful method of treatment. However, please keep in mind this may not be the solution for everyone and an in-depth conversation with your doctor about the risks must be had before any decisions are made.

Information on successful surgery and statistics

Improved strength and flexibility

Successful surgery means gradual strengthening and flexibility however, don’t push yourself too much and go straight back into the football team. Consult your doctor on recovery time.

Less to no pain after surgery

About 75% of people have severe pain due to suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. However, one of the reasons why this is a viable option is because there is little to no pain after surgery provided there has been no complications.

After you Recover from Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

Once you recover from surgery, it is important not to fall back into your unhealthy habits that may have triggered Plantar Fasciitis in the first place.

In order to ensure that you remain on the straight on the narrow, you should:

  • Rest your feet or limit excessive daily activities in order not to subject your feet to unnecessary strain.
  • Put ice on your heel to relieve pain from time to time
  • Wear shoes with good shock absorption for the purpose of comfort
  • Do simple stretches to ensure that your feet remain flexible
  • Throw out non supporting footwear
  • Get yourself a good foot roller

Plantar Fasciitis Surgery Recovery Time

Generally speaking, there is a recovery time of about 3-6 weeks. After you have recovered, you will be able to go back to normal everyday activities such as walking, standing for long periods of time and light jogging. Be sure not to do too much in the first few months of your plantar fasciitis surgery recovery to avoid aggravating it.

Maintaining a balanced lifestyle with only light exercise is crucial to the success of y0ur plantar fasciitis surgery recovery time.

Plantar fasciitis surgery is a good option to explore if you have exhausted all other avenues of treatment. It may not be for everyone, so it is important to consult a medical professional for their opinion as in some cases you may just need to change a few things in daily life.