Plantar Fascitis surgery - Foot Problems Message Board

Hannah111 · 01-13-2001, 08:43 PM

I have had a problem with plantar fascitis for 2 years now. I've tried stretching, anti-inflammatories, orthotics, cortisone shots and I can't seem to quite shake it. I'm curious if any of you have had the surgery for this and if it seems to help in most difficult cases. My doctor has been saving it as a last resort and says the scarring can cause more problems and the surgery isn't always successful. I'd like to hear any experiences from others here. Also, has anyone tried a night splint?

Foot Pro · 01-13-2001, 09:01 PM

In theory, night splints work very well. They keep the achilles tendon on stretch and thus the plantar fascia is on stretch. The problem I encounter with night splints is that most patients can't wear them and get a good nights sleep. However, I do believe they are worth a try. Heel spur surgery / Plantar fasciectomy is pretty much always the last resort. As with any surgery, there are no guarantees that this will cure your problem. From my experience, I only operate on heel spur / plantar fasciitis patients after everything has failed stretching, cortisone, stretching, orthotics, stretching, stretching, lifestyle modifications (weight loss if any weight gain has occurred)and then surgery. If my patient proceeds with surgical correction this is what I tell them. You will have to be off of your foot for 3-4 weeks. The inside part of your heel may be a little numb. You may develop a different type of pain (more of an ache) on the outside part of your foot. And last, you may continue to have heel pain. There is a website dedicated to heel pain called heelspurs.com I believe they have a message forum such as this that deals with these issues. I've been to that site a few times and it seems very good. Good luck. Remember...Stretch stretch stretch.

PeggyAnn · 01-15-2001, 11:38 AM

foot pro: I have gone through the gammut that you have just described. I had a complete bone spur/plantar fascia what ever done in august. As you said, I still have pain and discomfort. I have taken an additional 6 weeks off of work at this time to help heal. But it is getting time to go back and I am scared to death. I am so scared that I keep having re-occuring nightmares about it. I do not take any pain meds now, but put it on ice after a day of walking at the mall or just grocery shopping. I massage it every night with lavender massage lotion. I have $300 custom inserts for my shoes and even after the breakin period, they still hurt. I am required to work 45-50 hours per week as a home fashion manager for a local retail store. This is very hard on my feet. I am on the go sometimes before I even get clocked in. I am thinking on stepping down to a part time position that would be a little easier on my feet, but this makes me feel like a looser. I can't believe how much trouble I am having and the thought of that surgery, should of made things better. I am tired of hurting and gimping around like some 80 year old fart. I am 45 years young and don't feel like it most days. Do you think those splints would help? I have heard people talk about them and it makes sense to me.
thanks

Foot Pro · 01-16-2001, 07:29 PM

In theory, the plantar fascia night splints should work. The main problem is with patient compliance. The natural position our foot is in when we sleep is relaxed or plantarflexed. If you take your foot and dorsiflex it with the night splint you put the achilles tendon on stretch. This ultimately puts the plantar fascia on stretch as well. From my experience, most people can't sleep well with the splint on while in bed. They say it is just too uncomfortable. However, if you're at the end of your rope so to speak then anything would be worth a try. You bring up an interesting point about your postop course. You say you still have pain. Just out of curiosity, where is your pain located? Is it still under the heel or has it moved to the outside of the foot? Also, what kind of surgery did you have? Did you have the heel spur removed? Did you have the surgery where they make two small incisions on each side of the foot? One last question about your orthotics. Are they extremely rigid? If so, then why dont you try putting a full length spenco type insole over the orthotic in your shoes. You may have to go up 1/2 size but that sometimes helps. Don't give up on the orthotics. They usually take a while to help. Some people respond to the rigid devices others respond to a more flexible device. My general rule of thumb is that the larger the person, the more rigid the orthotic should be due to structural support. If ou are a large person, you would flatten or bottom out a semiflexible or flexible orthotic and therefore the biomechanical control would be lost hence continued heel pain. Anyway, I hope this helps. Good luck. I'm a firm believer in stretching,stretching,stretching.

LindaD824 · 01-18-2001, 11:43 PM

I have had heel spurs and on both feet. I went to podiatrist who recommended forms for my shoes. But he told me it ALL came from ill fitting shoes and he was right. I immediately changed things. I could not even walk 10 feet and great pain. I switched to tennis shoes great support and added the little blue heel support from Dr. Scholls sold in Walmart for $4.00. I then had a grandson born, I rocked him every night. It seems the rocking and pushing the rocker with both legs helped me exercise. I then also started taking GGlucosamine 500mg and Chondraitin 400mg and Vit. D 1000 for absorption. Well, in approx. 2 -4 weeks my pain disappeared . Joshua is now 3 years old and I have gained a few more pounds from Christmas so I am going to try to lose a few pounds....but my heel spur in one foot is returning.....so back to this routine. But I noticed my feet turning red on the bottom when this started like the blood pooling on the bottom and tightness in my feet. So, just wanted to share and will get back with how my new routine helps.....hopefully it will. Good luck to you. Hope this may help.
Hugs and prayers. Linda