New Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
Tuesday March 11, 2008
I swear that most of my walking friends, including me, have battled plantar fasciitis at one time or another. Plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the foot or heel caused by bruising or inflammation of the band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. Often, this is caused by general wear and tear overuse. But I got it after wearing old shoes on a muddy tulip field walk and slipping around. A sign that it's plantar fasciitis is when it hurts worst when you step out of bed in the morning or after sitting for awhile.Most cases heal themselves after a few weeks with R.I.C.E and stretching, but Dr. Steven Ross, clinical professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, and president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) gave an update of current treatment options at their annual meeting last week.
New Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis:
- Time Heals Most: "Each treatment option has its pros and cons, Dr. Ross noted in a press release. “But the fact is that this problem just heals itself with time, exercise and patience. We live in a 'now' society, where people want the instant fix. In the case of plantar fasciitis, that is just not the best option." Dr. Ross says 90% will heal themselves just with exercises and non-operative techniques within nine months. Non-operative treatments include foot and toe exercises, massage techniques, stretching, and cortisone injections.
- Partial plantar fasciectomy: this surgical procedure releases strain on the plantar fascia, and if it heals successfully it transfers the strain to other areas of the foot. One study of 23 patients found that 20 of them were completely satisfied with the surgery, with a return to full function or minor limitations.
- Shockwave therapy: This procedure zaps your foot with electrical therapy shockwaves. This stimulates new tissue formation. But the high energy version requires anesthesia, which brings its own risks.
- Gastrocnemius recession: This is a newer and more controversial procedure. The theory is that the foot pain is related to tightness in the calves. By releasing the calf strain, it might release the strain on the plantar fasciia.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner 2005
Comments
I AM GETTING READY TO UNDERGO THE PARTIAL PLANTAR FACITISECTOMY ON BOTH FEET. I HAVE BEEN THRU SEVERAL YEARS OF PAIN (1997). I AM ON PERCOCET 30 FOR PAIN RELIEF. IT (PLANTAR FASCITIS) HAS TOTALLY RUINED MY QUALITY OF LIFE. THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE 24/7. I WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, AND LOST MY JOB DUE TO THIS AFLICTION. PLEASE…..IF SOMEONE OUT THERE HAS HAD THIS SURGERY, PLEASE TELL ME HOW IT’S BEEN. HAS IT HELPED? HOW LONG DID THE RECOVERY TAKE?
My recovery from plantar fasciitis is about 80%. I still have some pain in the morning despite stretching my achilles etc. while still in bed. I wear a Wellgate Slim-fit ankle brace as needed and it helps alot. It fits in my shoes without special modification.
Why an ankle brace? Because the stirrup part is wide enough to stabilize my plantar fascia. Give it a try.
This may be a few months late for you, but hopefully others may benefit from it.
I went through non-surgical treatments for several months with no relief. Ultimately, I had the surgery (PF & heal spur removal). It took a couple months of recovery before the pain subsided, but I wasn’t exactly the best patient. I did no stretching exercises and did not take it easy, since I worked in a warehouse, walking and standing on cement floors all day. However, the pain did subside and that was 10 years ago with no recurring pain to date.
I just the same surgery on my other foot last week. Of course, I can’t put weight on it yet for healing reasons, but the mobility is already a noticable improvement – much less tension across the bottom of my foot.
I appreciate the other posts emphasizing the need for stretching. I will definitely include that in my recovery routine. In hind-sight, I probably should have give the non-invasive treatments more time to see if they work. But in the end, the surgery worked for me and I am happy with the results.
I had the surgery 10 days ago and can already notice less tension across the bottom of my foot!