Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spur - What does it take? - Foot Problems Message Board

LoveCountry · 08-17-2007, 07:57 PM

Hi Everyone, (I am new here

)

I am here to vent, and I'm here to see who has had the surgery for this problem. Where they go into your heel with a tube, and cut the ligament. I think I am describing it the right way.

Anyway. Ive been suffering this heel spur for sometime now. Months, not days or weeks.

However, I'm only 2 weeks in, on doctors care for the problem.

I was given a Injection of some cortisone type thing, a week ago. It didnt help. He gave me 1/2 CC last week, I went in again today and got 1 CC. of the same stuff. Still in pain.

Is it normal, does it take awhile before the pain goes away?

Doctor told me, if I come back next week, in the same pain or not much better, we'll talk surgery. <DREAD DREAD DREAD>

Has anyone had the surgery? The one I described (he said it takes like 10 minutes to do) - What is recovery like?

Has anyone else not been helped by the first injection - but the 2nd one helped later?

I really don't want the surgery - I dislike being put to sleep.

Thanks for listening!

relteach · 08-18-2007, 05:41 AM

I, too, had a heel spur and plantar faciitis about 5 years ago. I am a teacher and on my feet all day. I was given exercises and stretches to do and tried NSAIDS, but eventually had the cortisone injection. Luckily it worked amost immediately. I still had some slight pain for a couple of days in the AM, but by doing the stretches before getting out of bed, the problem was alleviated.
I know of other people, among my own teaching colleagues, who have had more than one injection in order to have relief.
I don't know anything about the surgery you describe, but I do remember my doc saying that surgery was the last resort and I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
About the anesthesia, I know that some docs will do foot surgery with an epidural or spinal block instead of general. You need to ask your doc.

debincalif · 08-19-2007, 10:27 PM

I would try everything you can before resorting to surgery.

Has your doctor discussed physical therapy and orthotic inserts with you yet? You should definitely look into those options.

I had severe PF about 10 years ago, and never had to have cortisone shots or surgery. Just by doing some simple exercises and wearing insoles with a rigid arch support my symptoms went away 100%. I may not be an "average" case, but it is sure worth trying.

Also, I've heard that often times a heel spur will return even if you have it surgically removed. You need to treat the plantar facia to get rid of the pain.

Good luck,
Deb

Ashley52 · 09-02-2007, 06:32 AM

That is what finally worked for me, arch supports. I have a high arch and the podiatrist I was seeing made me "custom" orthotics that apparently were not correct to address the problem. I spent thousands of dollars on various treatments before I finally found what worked for me.

For anyone who has a high arch and plantar fasciitis, here is what my new wonderful doc told me to do.

1) Buy arch supports that are flush against your arch. You should not be able to get your finger in between the arch support and your arch. You can buy these arch supports for about $40 at REI. No expensive orthotics necessary. Mine are called Superfeet. I have another pair that you can warm in the oven to conform to your foot called Sole, I haven't done that yet but they're only about $45. Compare that to $300+ for custom orthotics.
The best shoe I have found for a high arch, Birkenstocks...yes, I know they're ugly but who cares if you are pain free!

2) Wear a night splint as tight as you can tolerate it. I continued this until I was pain free, then I stopped.

3) Stretching exercises. Stand on a step and let your heel drop down. Hold that position for about 10 minutes, or as long as you can. This gives those tendons a good long stretch, using your body weight. Most stretching exercises that podiatrists prescribe are not enough, not enough stretch and not held for enough time.

Now that I've saved you several thousand dollars in medical bills, send your donations to.....LOL.

taape · 09-03-2007, 11:38 PM

I've had this for about 2 months now. After not being able to step on my heel or doing so with severe pain each morning and then eventually not being able to walk only limp, I went to a podiatrist. I'm using superfeet arch supports, had to buy more supportive running shoes, doing exercises everyday, and gonig to Physical Therapy, plus injections and it's finally getting better. The pain isn't gone yet. I think that cutting the Plantar facitis would be my last resort. I've had people tell me that it does eventually mostly go away and you get relief. The first injection worked for me along with the others things mentioned. I went back for a second injection which was on the other foot/heel.

Ashley52,
Where did you get the splint from, was it a custom one?

Debincalif,
Does the bone spur disappear or just not cause pain after the PF is treated? I saw the spur on the xray and it was tiny, hard to believe it could cause such excruiating foot pain.