Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative change in the fascia, which is the connective tissue that runs down the sole of the foot from the ball of the foot to the heel. This condition affects about 10-15% of the population and usually manifests as pain when you start walking after resting your feet for a long period of time. Surgery to treat plantar fasciitis is usually recommended in a small number of patients only, after conservative treatment has failed. Surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Recovery time may vary depending on whether the procedure is open surgery or endoscopic fascia release. The type of surgery is often decided by the surgeon, but recent research has found that endoscopic fascial release surgery is a safer option and provides the option of faster recovery time and greater patient satisfaction.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Recovering After Endoscopic Surgery
Step 1. Put on postoperative shoes or a cast for walking
Endoscopic procedures are less invasive than open surgery so the recovery process is also shorter. The surgeon will cover the foot with a bandage after surgery, then he will put on a cast or postoperative shoe. You may have to wear it for three to seven days after surgery.
Your doctor may suggest wearing shoes or a cast for a longer period of time. It's best to wear shoes or a cast as directed by the surgeon, don't violate them
Step 2. Rest your feet for the first week
While there are no restrictions on walking, your doctor will recommend that you rest your feet as much as possible during the first postoperative week. This will reduce pain, shorten the recovery period, and reduce the potential for complications such as damage to the soft tissue around the surgical site.
- The surgeon may ask you to rest your foot, unless you need to go to the bathroom or eat.
- You should make sure the foot and bandage are completely dry to reduce the risk of infection.
Step 3. Wear supportive walking shoes after the doctor removes the cast or postoperative shoes
At the first post-surgery visit, the doctor will decide whether the cast/shoe is safe to remove or not. If your doctor decides to take it off, he or she will suggest that you wear shoes with thick arch support for the next few weeks to minimize the stress of body weight on your feet.
Podiatrists and surgeons will usually prescribe special orthotic shoe inserts before deciding to have plantar fasciitis surgery. You should return to the orthotic as directed to provide additional support while your foot recovers
Step 4. Ask the surgeon to remove the stitches
The doctor will remove the sutures that were placed during the surgical procedure at your next visit, which may be scheduled for about 10-14 days after the initial procedure. Once the stitches are removed, you can wet your feet. You can also focus your entire body weight on your feet.
Step 5. Don't try to do a normal walking routine for at least three weeks
Even if the stitches have been removed and the orthotic continued, you will likely experience some discomfort walking for about three weeks.
- If your job requires you to stand for long hours, it's a good idea to ask for some time off. You should discuss this with your supervisor before scheduling plantar fasciitis surgery.
- If circumstances force you to stand up, apply ice to the leg or place the foot in a higher position afterwards to reduce discomfort. Or, place a frozen water bottle on the floor and roll it with your feet so you can stretch and compress.
Step 6. Adhere to all scheduled visits to doctors and physical therapists
The doctor will schedule additional visits at his discretion. You may be asked to see a physical therapist, who will show you how to safely stretch the muscles and tendons in your leg after surgery, for the best results. Schedule this visit based on the advice of these professionals and adhere to all established schedules.
- Stretches include massaging the plantar fascia using a small, hard object such as a golf ball rolled under the sole of the foot.
- Another easy way to exercise problem muscles and tendons is to flex your toes down to grip a towel or even a rug under your feet.
Step 7. Consult a physical therapist first before re-starting a strenuous exercise routine
Even after you are able to walk normally without any discomfort, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend that you slowly return to your high-impact exercise routine. Talk to them about the best workouts and schedules to get back to your usual workout routine.
Don't be surprised if they recommend replacing it with low-impact exercises, such as swimming, cycling, for a few months postoperatively
Method 2 of 2: Recovering After Open Surgery
Step 1. Wear a cast or leg brace for the entire time prescribed by the surgeon
Using a cast or leg brace is important so that the fascia can fully heal. Even if you feel better and there is little or no pain when placing your full body weight on your feet, it's still important to allow your feet to fully recover. The absence of pain and increased mobility does not mean the body has recovered 100 percent. You may have to wear a cast or postoperative shoe for two to three weeks.
- Your doctor will most likely ask you to rest your feet completely for a week or two, except when you need to eat or use the bathroom.
- You should make sure the foot and bandage are always dry to reduce the risk of infection.
Step 2. Use the recommended crutches
While you should rest your foot completely as often as possible, your doctor will prescribe crutches to use when you need to stand. Use crutches consistently to help prevent your weight from resting completely on your feet.
Step 3. Take pain medication prescribed by your doctor
Although it is not a highly invasive surgery, open surgical procedures can be painful during recovery. Your doctor will most likely prescribe pain medication to help you feel more comfortable during the initial recovery process. Take pain medication as directed when you experience pain. If the pain does not subside, contact your doctor.
Your doctor may ask you to take an over-the-counter pain reliever after the prescription medication wears off. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help with pain
Step 4. Schedule and adhere to all assigned follow-up visits
The surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your recovery progress and decide when to remove the cast or shoe. Make sure you attend this scheduled visit, and don't remove your cast or shoe until your doctor allows it.
Step 5. Start wearing shoes that have the correct support
Once your doctor has removed the cast/shoe, he or she will tell you when it is a good time for you to start wearing your regular shoes again once you feel comfortable doing so. Since surgery is a last resort, chances are you already have orthotic inserts made specifically for your shoes. Continue to use orthotics after surgery to give the foot proper shape and support while giving the foot a chance to heal.
Step 6. Use a cold compress to reduce discomfort
After the postoperative cast/shoe is removed, you can apply ice to the foot to reduce discomfort, especially after you have been standing for a long time. One method that can be used is to place a bottle of frozen water under your feet while rolling it along your sole. This will stretch the area around the plantar fascia while compressing it with ice.
Step 7. Attend any established physical therapy schedule
If your doctor sees a possible complication or it proves that you are placing too much weight on your foot, he or she may schedule more visits to monitor the condition of your foot. However, at this stage you will most likely just need to see a physical therapist to learn some stretches and exercises to help your foot recover.
- Recommended stretching exercises include massaging the plantar fascia using a small, hard object such as a golf ball to roll under the sole of the foot.
- Another easy way to exercise problem muscles and tendons is to flex your toes down to grip a towel or even a rug under your feet.
Step 8. Limit all running and high-impact sports for at least three months
Even after you can walk normally without the slightest discomfort, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend that you slowly return to your high-impact exercise routine. You may need to limit high-impact activities that involve running or jumping for three months. Talk to them about the best exercises and when it's a good time for you to get back into your usual workout routine.
They won't ask you to stop training altogether, but they will most likely recommend low-impact exercises like swimming
Warning
- This article reviews a general set of guidelines for fascia release surgery. You should always follow the advice and instructions given by your doctor.
- Call your doctor right away if you experience severe pain or notice signs of infection after surgery. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, discharge from the wound, and fever.
