|
More Plantar Facts: The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot in carrying the weight of the body. Approximately 90% of women and 40% of men with plantar fasciitis are overweight. It frequently affects athletes, people who are on their feet all day and those over 40 years of age. Among professional athletes, plantar fasciitis is one of the 5 most common foot and ankle injuries. If left untreated the condition could become chronic and can lead to a host of other issues. Most sufferers are able to overcome the pain with non-invasive therapy. Night splints prevent contraction and stretch your plantar fascia while you sleep to help with pain. Treatment includes avoiding the activity, icing the inflammation, gently stretching and warming the area. Ultrasound can speed plantar fasciitis recovery significantly. |
Plantar Fasciitis SurgeryPlantar Fasciitis surgery is used in severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatments. These are normally day surgeries that may require a local anesthesia.  Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy involves small incisions that are made on the side of your foot. A plastic tube is then inserted into the incisions, along with small camera and scalpel. Your surgeon will cut or remove part of the inflamed or damaged plantar fascia tissue from your heel to relieve pressure and reduce pain. The hope is that your body will grow new fascia in the gap created by the incision.  Open heel-spur fasciotomy surgery involves removing your calcium and/or bone spurs from the heel area. This procedure has mixed results, as it is addressing a symptom of inflammation, not the problem itself. If the plantar fascia is not repaired at the same time, your heel spur will most likely reappear. Neurolysis involves cutting the nerve sheath of the abductor digiti minimi muscle and breaking up adhesions (scar tissue) to free the nerve and relieve the pressure and pain from inflammation. Radio frequency, heat, or chemical injection, have also been used.  Most of the surgeries for plantar fasciitis require a recovery time of approximately 1.5 months. Sometimes a removable cast will be used to support and immobilize the foot. Occasionally crutches or a cane will be used to minimize weight bearing. Ultrasound, physiotherapy and exercises are recommended after the cast is removed (normally 3-4 weeks). Complications: Partial wound dehiscence (rupture of a surgical wound), foot pain, nerve damage, hypersensitive neuroma, infection, fallen arch
| Plantar Fasciitis Facts: Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the ligament that runs along the arch of the foot. This condition affects over 2 million Americans. Sufferers experience an intense stabbing pain in the heel. Heel spurs can be caused by plantar fasciitis. 50% of people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs. The pain is most severe in the morning after the tissue has contracted during sleep.           | ||||
 |
|
