Plantar Fascia Surgery

I have plantar fasciitis. Do I need plantar fascia surgery?

Most people with plantar fasciitis don’t need surgery. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tight band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the back of the heel to the toes.

Overuse of the plantar fascia causes tiny tears in the tissue, triggering inflammation and pain. Treatment usually includes activity changes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy. Some patients will need more aggressive treatments like corticosteroid injections.

The Maryland Orthopedic Specialists team will consider plantar fascia surgery if you still suffer from foot problems after 12 months of medical care.

What types of plantar fascia surgery are there?

There are two types of plantar fascia surgery. The team personalizes your surgical plan and reviews the procedure’s details so that you know what to expect.

Plantar fascia surgeries include:

Gastrocnemius recession surgery

Gastrocnemius recession surgery lengthens the calf muscle (gastrocnemius). If your calf muscles are too tight, it puts extra stress on the plantar fascia. During gastrocnemius recession surgery, your surgeon lengthens one of the two calf muscles to increase motion in your ankle.

Plantar fascia release surgery

The Maryland Orthopedic Specialists team can perform plantar fascia release surgery at the same time as the gastrocnemius recession surgery. During this procedure, your surgeon makes a partial cut where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel to reduce tension in the tissue.

If you have a heel bone spur (bony prominence at the heel that sometimes develops with plantar fasciitis), your surgeon removes it.

What can I expect during recovery from plantar fascia surgery?

Recovery following plantar fascia surgery depends on which surgery you had and the technique your surgeon used. When possible, the Maryland Orthopedic Specialists team uses minimal incision surgery to shorten recovery.

The team provides specific instructions about activity and pain control following your procedure, like avoiding weight-bearing activities for a time. Following these instructions to the letter gives you the best chance of fully recovering.

Once stable, your surgeon refers you to the on-site physical therapy team to strengthen the foot and ankle and support healing.

Call Maryland Orthopedic Specialists today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about plantar fascia surgery and how it might benefit you.