When Is Surgery Necessary to Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common source of heel pain and occurs when the thick band of tissues running along the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed. This heel pain can make it much more challenging to exercise, walk, or even stand for prolonged periods. If you’ve had plantar fasciitis pain even after months of nonsurgical treatment, you may want to discuss surgical treatments with your doctor. It’s important to know, though, that surgical intervention is not the first-line treatment and most plantar fasciitis patients never need it.

While conservative, nonsurgical treatment such as rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and orthotic shoe inserts effectively minimizes pain for most patients, others may require surgical intervention for adequate pain relief.

You may be a good candidate for plantar fasciitis surgery if:

• You have had severe heel pain lasting 6+ months
• Your heel pain has not subsided with nonsurgical treatments
• You cannot participate in physical activities
• Other potential diagnoses are ruled out
• You don’t have an underlying health condition such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or venous insufficiency

After surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will give you post-operative instructions specific to your unique situation. Recovery is quick, because the incision is small and less of the patient’s healthy body tissue is cut to access the plantar fascia. In a minimally invasive open release, the surgeon does not cut through the entire plantar fascia, but rather they remove the avascular rubbery tissue, allowing it to fill in with healthy tissue.

Suffering from Heel Pain? Contact Fox Valley Orthopedics.

You don’t have to continue to “live with” heel pain. We can help. Reach out to us at Fox Valley Orthopedics today to learn more about how we can help you achieve symptom relief from plantar fasciitis through a consultation with one of our orthopedic surgeons. It’s important to note that just because you’ve been referred to an orthopedic surgeon, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need plantar fasciitis surgery, as other nonsurgical methods will be explored and exhausted first.

To contact us at Fox Valley Orthopedics and book your appointment, please call (630) 584-1400 today.