If you live with chronic pain due to plantar fasciitis, foot surgery may be a viable option in Bronx, NY. Visit Dr. Barry Finkelstein of NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates for treatment options.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the connecting tissue of your heel and toes become inflamed. Specific exercises, getting older, and working long hours on your feet can cause plantar fasciitis. A common side effect of plantar fasciitis is a persistent stabbing pain in your heel that makes it difficult to walk or stand.
While plantar fasciitis surgery is effective, it often isn’t necessary. If you just started noticing signs of plantar fasciitis, you may consider less invasive therapies. Using medical tape, splints, or orthotics can help stabilize your foot and relieve pressure when you’re walking, standing, and exercising. Therapies such as icing and massaging can relieve pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. In addition, another treatment called radiofrequency ablation uses heat to reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can reduce swelling and temporarily relieve pain. Cortisone shots are also an effective way to prevent pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
When does surgery become necessary?
If you continue to live with chronic pain after the treatments above, it is time to reach out to Dr. Finkelstein in Bronx, NY, to discuss foot surgery options.
If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can alter how you walk and move and lead to more problems with your legs, feet, and hips. The ideal goal of plantar fasciitis surgery is to improve mobility and reduce pain and inflammation so you can perform your usual activities without discomfort.
How does surgery work?
Plantar fasciitis is a surgery designed to detach the ligament that runs between your heel and toes called the fascia. Separating the fascia from the heel relieves tension and encourages new tissue growth. When your tissue grows back, your fascia lengthens, reducing pain and tension. There are two types of plantar fasciitis called open and endoscopic surgery.
Open Surgery- Open surgery requires sedation with general anesthesia. Then, an incision of about one to two inches is made to detach your fascia from your heel bone and remove any bone spurs and trapped nerves. Recovery from open surgery can last anywhere from 6-10 weeks, and a walking boot may be required while your foot heals.
Endoscopic Surgery- Endoscopic surgery is less invasive and only requires a mild sedative and local anesthesia. First, the surgeon makes two small incisions under your ankle bone. Then a tiny camera called an endoscope is inserted into one opening and your fascia is detached through the other opening. Recovery time lasts between 3 to 6 weeks.
If you are looking for more information on foot surgery for plantar fasciitis in Bronx, NY, reach out to Dr. Finkelstein of NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates at (718) 881-7990.