Among the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis affects about one in 10 people. The condition— which occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch, becomes inflamed or injured due to wear-and-tear— usually heals with conservative care.
However, if your heel pain lasts for weeks or even months, you may consider more invasive treatments like surgery. But how effective is plantar fasciitis surgery, and is it right for you?
At South Denver Podiatry in Littleton, Colorado, our team of expert podiatrists offers plantar fasciitis surgery. Keep reading to learn how it works and when to consider it.
Plantar fasciitis surgery is an umbrella term for several minimally invasive procedures that repair damage to the plantar fascia. More specifically, they relieve plantar fascia tension so you can walk and exercise without excruciating heel pain.
We offer two types of plantar fasciitis surgery:
Sometimes, plantar fasciitis is exacerbated by tight calf muscles. If your calves are tight, they can limit your ankle’s flexibility and tighten your plantar fascia, causing pain and inflammation. During gastrocnemius recession, we correct this tightness by lengthening your calf muscles.
Your surgeon makes a small incision at the back of your calf and inserts an endoscope—a long, thin tube with a camera and a light on the end—through it. They then use a scalpel or other similar tool to release the fascia, a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the muscle. This causes your calf muscles to relax and lengthen, reducing pressure on the plantar fascia and relieving pain.
After surgery, the typical length of recovery for your calf is about six to eight weeks. Take your medication as prescribed, follow our team’s recovery instructions, and attend physical therapy.
We may recommend plantar fascia release surgery if you have plantar fasciitis and a normal range of motion in your ankle, particularly if your heel pain is severe and hasn’t improved with conservative treatments.
During plantar fascia release, your surgeon makes a small incision at the bottom of your heel and then uses surgical tools to release a portion of your plantar fascia. This reduces tension, relieving pain and inflammation and restoring your mobility.
Recovery after plantar fascia release usually takes six weeks during which time you’ll wear a walking boot, which will reduce pressure on your foot. You’ll also do physical therapy to stretch and strengthen your calf muscles and plantar fascia.
A plantar fasciitis diagnosis doesn’t always mean you need an operation. We typically only recommend surgery if your symptoms last six months to a year and don’t improve with conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or custom orthotics.
If your heel pain interferes with your daily life and keeps you from work, exercise, or activities you love, surgery is worth considering. After reviewing your medical records, discussing your symptoms, and completing a podiatry exam and diagnostic imaging, we can make personalized treatment recommendations.
Contact us if chronic heel pain is making you miserable. Call our office in Littleton, Colorado, or book an appointment online.
