Plantar Fascieotomy
What is a Plantar Fascietomy?
The surgical procedure used to treat plantar fasciitis, is sometimes called heel spurs. This condition causes stabbing or burning heel pain when the tissue along the bottom of the foot — which connects the heel bone to the toes — inflames. Doctors diagnose Plantar fasciitis based on a patient’s medical history and physical examination. During the exam, the doctor will check for areas of tenderness in the foot. The location of the foot pain can help determine the cause.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Many patients with plantar fasciitis recover in a matter of months using conservative treatment, including:
- Losing weight. Extra weight puts extra stress on plantar fascia.
- Wearing supportive shoes. Shoes with low heels, thick soles, arch support and cushioning.
- Replace old shoes before they lose cushion and support.
- Change sports. Switching to a low-impact sport, such as swimming or bicycling, can help with Plantar Fasciitis.
- Ice. Apply an ice pack on the affected area for 15 minutes three or four times a day. Ice may help reduce inflammation.
- Stretch your arches. Simple exercises may help stretch your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon and calf muscles.
Medications
Taking Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease the pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.
Surgical procedures
If conservative measures fail to provide relief after several months, Specialists may recommend:
- Injections. Steroid injections into the affected area can provide temporary pain relief. Platelet-rich plasma injections can also promote tissue healing.
- Surgery. Some patients require surgery in order to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. Specialists generally only resort to surgery when all other treatments have failed. Surgeons can perform Plantar Fasciotomy as an open procedure or through a small incision with local anesthesia.