Plantar Fasciitis Surgery Success Rate

The human foot consists of the plantar fascia, which is a thick and fibrous band of tissues that originate from the lowermost surface of the heel bone and stretch along the sole of the foot towards the toes. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory and painful condition of the plantar fascia.

It is characterized by heel pain of light or severe nature. It is a commonly found condition in the United States, and it has been observed that every year, almost two million Americans encounter this condition.

Although the exact cause has not yet been identified, there are several factors that are figured out as the probable causes. Some of the common ones are mentioned below.

• Structural abnormalities that include tight calf muscles, high arches, flat feet, etc.

• Overweight or obesity
• Prolonged walking on an uneven surface
• Standing at one place for a long time
• Injury to the feet
• Aging
• Wearing improperly cushioned shoes

In most cases, it is not a very serious condition and can be cured with the help of stretches and exercises. However, in a few serious cases, surgical treatment is the last alternative.

• Stretches: They are found to be the most effective treatment. Some of the most common stretching exercises are toe walking, Achilles stretches, and bench stretches.

• Weight Loss: If excessive weight gain has been the cause, then the patient might be advised for losing weight. This could not only relieve you from this condition, but also cure many others (if any).

• Footwear Adjustments: Sometimes, poorly-cushioned shoes or improper shoe structure can be a cause. In such cases, either some footwear adjustments are done, or the patient is advised to wear specially-recommended shoes.

• Rest: Many a time, it may be the result of insufficient rest. This puts a lot of pressure on the feet, which in turn leads to heel pain. In such cases, having sufficient sleep in the night is the only treatment to cure the disorder.

• Other Treatments: A few non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and ice pack treatments are some of the popular treating methods used.

• This option is prescribed only if the pain is very severe and natural treatments do not cure the condition.
• The most common type of surgical treatment is the plantar fascia release, which is medically known as endoscopic plantar fasciotomy.

• This involves the release or removal of the fascia by preparing a small incision on the inside of the heel.
• Further, the inflamed tissue is either released or removed.

• The other commonly followed treatment is the heel spur removal, which aims at removing the heel spur and repairing the plantar fascia region.
• It is done by separating the inflamed tissue from the heel, and the bone spur is cut away.

• As said earlier, surgeries are advised only in severe cases. This is because although they relieve the pain, the patient might suffer from its side effects.
• For instance, endoscopic plantar fasciotomy poses the danger of flattening of the arch in some patients.

• Ruptures are also reported to be the possible side effects of heel spur removal as well as endoscopic plantar fasciotomy.
• The success rate varies from patient to patient. As per 'The American Academy of Family Physicians', the success rate of plantar fasciitis surgery is around 75-90 percent. However, sometimes it has been as low as 35-40 percent.

Surgeries might not always be successful, as after all, it depends on how your body responds to it. Therefore, try to avoid surgeries, and prevent all these conditions from getting aggravated. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience heel pain, and get proper medications and treatments for the same.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.