Plantar fasciitis release surgery comes with potential risks. So what are the two secret dangers of plantar fasciitis surgery? There are no secrets.
Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common condition that causes pain in the heel of the foot. It’s estimated that up to 10% of the population will experience plantar fasciitis at some point in their lives. Dr. Danielle Malin, a podiatrist serving Pulaski, TN, explains the condition is most common in those aged 40 to 60, but it can affect people of all ages.
What Are The Risk Factors For Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. It supports the arch of the foot and helps absorb shock when walking. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this band of tissue becomes inflamed, which can happen because of overuse or sudden change in activities. Other risk for plantar fasciitis include:
- Being overweight
- Tight calf muscles
- Participating in high-impact sports
- Wearing shoes with poor arch support
- Standing or walking for long periods of time
- Pregnancy
Symptoms And Diagnosis
Before you are a candidate for plantar fasciitis release surgery, your doctor will need to evaluate your symptoms and try less invasive treatment. They will ask if you’ve experienced stiffness, swelling, redness, or tenderness in the heel. Your podiatrist can diagnose plantar fasciitis based on your answers, medical history, and a thorough physical examination of the foot from the ankle down. You may also be given an x-ray or MRI to rule out a fracture, which is another common cause of heel pain.
Treatment Before Surgery
Your podiatrist will not dive directly into plantar fasciitis release surgery. There are many other courses of action they might take before surgery. You may be advised to rest, apply ice several times each day to reduce inflammation, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, or seek physical therapy. Your podiatrist may also offer a corticosteroid injection. Corticosteroids should be used sparingly as they can weaken the plantar fascia and increase your risk for later injury.
Plantar Fasciitis Surgery
Thankfully, the podiatrist says that surgery is rarely a necessity for plantar fasciitis. It is typically only recommended for those with symptoms that affect their activities of daily living for more than six months. The risks associated with plantar fascia release procedure include recurrent heel pain, slow wound healing, nerve issues, and tumors.
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis
If you must undergo surgery, you want to do all you can to keep plantar fasciitis from returning. Your podiatrist may recommend:
- Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on the body’s muscles and tendons, including the plantar fascia.
- Wearing supportive shoes. You’ll need to wear shoes that have a great arch support.
- Stretching. Stretching your calf muscles routinely can prevent them from becoming overly tight, which can help to prevent strain.
- Avoiding overuse. If you begin new activities after surgery, start slowly and increase the duration and intensity gradually.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the heel of the foot. Thankfully, surgery is not a common concern. And while many people wonder what are the two secret dangers of plantar fasciitis surgery, the truth is that your podiatrist has nothing to hide. She will discuss all of your treatment options with you and make sure that you are armed with the information you need to make an informed decision about your feet.
