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Long-Term Effects of Plantar Fascia Surgery

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot ailments. The pain associated with the condition is concentrated on the heel, due to the plantar fascia being inflamed, says the Mayo Clinic. Several different factors can contribute to developing plantar fasciitis including being overly active, being overweight and not having proper support in your shoes. Typically conservative treatment options are utilized first and are mostly successful, however in some cases, a surgical option may need to be undertaken.

  1. Description of Surgery

    • The surgery to try and alleviate the pain associated with plantar fasciitis is a last resort, if other treatment options fail. According to the AAFP, a surgeon will make an incision around the heel pad, where the plantar fascia ligament is located, and the doctor will remove any of the damaged tissue. The goal of this is to relieve any pressure on the plantar fascia and to remove heel spurs, which are present in many cases.

    Time Frame

    • Plantar fascia surgery is a relatively simple procedure, but the recovery time associated with it can be considerable. Several weeks must pass before an individual can place weight on the heel that was operated on, says HeelthatPain.com. During that time, a brace or a cast may be worn in order to protect the foot and to help with the healing process. It is estimated that it will take at least three months before the patient will regain complete use of the affected foot.

    Potential Positive Long-term Effects

    • The ideal positive effect of undergoing surgery of the plantar fascia is the elimination of the pain, says EMedicine. While most other treatments work, some people will have to undergo surgery to reduce or get rid of any pain in the heel region. The best possible outcome is curing the pain and regaining the ability to complete everyday activities. Increased mobility should allow for higher productivity, increased physical activity, and living life without being uncomfortable while walking or standing.

    Potential Negative Long-term Effects

    • While the surgery certainly has the potential for fixing the plantar fascia, the risk exists for causing negative effects for the patient. According to the AAFP, the most common negative long-term effect is the patient experiencing weakening of the arch of the foot, due to the incision and removal of parts of the plantar fascia. Going along with that, minor nerve damage can occur during the procedure leading to numbness in the heel region of the foot. Lastly, the worse outcome is that the surgery does not help with the pain and effects of plantar fasciitis are still being experienced by the patient.

    Alternatives to Surgery

    • Surgery is often considered the final option, advises the Mayo Clinic, while there are alternative home remedies and medical treatments that can help reduce the pain. Wearing splints at night and doing stretching exercised can help ease the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Buying arch supports for shoes can also improve the level of pain for a patient. A medical alternative to surgery is to allow for a doctor to inject the heel area with a corticosteroid, which can dramatically decrease the pain.

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