If any one here really understands your problem, believe me, I do. I had a release done on my planta fascia last August 4. It has done a lot of good for me, but I would definitely not rush into the surgery decision.
I had experienced intense pain in my foot for nearly one year prior to the surgery. I began my treatments under the care of a podiatrist (I would recommend a podiatrist rather than an orthapedist (sp?) due to the fact that the podiatrist specializes in feet) right after the 1998-199 season ended. First thing he did was to have sutom orthodic made. This was done by making a cast of my feet and having the orthodics cast to the plaster molds. These provided a ton of relief--until I started running. After I began running again, all of the pain was back. Next was a program of stretching, ice and anti-inflammatories. I tried several different types of pills due to lack of relief and stomach irratation. I had moderate success with these. I then had a series of three shots in each PF (I am lucky enough to have it in each foot) with cortizone. Be careful with the injections--they thin the tendon and can lead to a rupture. My Dr. said he would not inject more than three times for this reason. These treatments will cure/relieve enough pain in 80-90% of those who suffer from PF.
All of these treatments never gave me more than moderate relief of my pain--about 10-25% and none of it long term. During the season, I was having my arch taped every night before the game--this helped more the following day than during the game. I talked at length with my Dr. (who was an athlete--I think that is important--he/she will understand the drive to continue working ball games) regarding my feet's future. He said that I could go on with the pain or have the release done--it was totally up to me. I wanted to have the release done in both feet at one time, but the Dr. wouldn't do it. Boy was I glad he wouldn't. During the recovery, I still had "one good leg to stand on." That made a huge difference.
The Dr. made about a 3/4" incision on the inside of my foot below my ankle bone and about 1/4-1/2" above the sole of my foot. He then cut about 2/3 of the width of my PF. After the surgery, I was off my feet (crutches) for 3 weeks, walking boot for 2 weeks and walking (absolutely no running) in my shoes (with orthodics) for 5 weeks. Yes, 10 weeks of zero running. This was the middle of Oct and I had not run one step for 10 weeks. My season begins about the 2nd week of Nov.
I began with a scrimmage at a local Univ. We had 5 officials to rotate in so we could all work and just in case I couldn't run. Starting and accelerating was fine, but slowing down hurt like hell!! I found out later that our ligaments and tendons are "stretched" to a useable length and I had to re-stretch mine to a useable length. That was about the worst part of the whole experience--the pain was intense!!!
It has been almost one year and my PF hurt about 10% of what they used to. The 10 weeks off let my left PF rest enough to heal to the point that I won't have surgery on it. The Dr. told me before the surgery that I might not ever be pain free again. I haven't been yet, but I still have hope. Would I do it again? Yes.
Write if you have more questions.
|