Heel pain can be terribly painful and even debilitating if left untreated. For many who experience pain in and around the heel area, it is most likely what is known as plantar fasciitis (inflammation to the plantar fascia ligament).
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is most commonly caused by strain or injury to the tissue in the arch of the foot causing micro tears to the ligament as it attaches to the heel bone. Although painful, plantar fasciitis is treatable with conservative options and surgery is not necessary. Some of these treatments include: shoe modifications, supportive braces, steroid injections and custom orthotics.
Other Treatments to Try:
- Ice Massage. Place a bottle of water in the freezer, take it out and roll the bottom of your feet on it for 10 minutes in the AM and PM.
- Stretching- Take a towel or one of those fancy Therabands(R) and stretch your toes towards your nose with it. Hold the stretch for 5 seconds, no bouncing as this will cause more pain. Remember to breathe when stretching.
- Arch Support for Flat Feet Refer to your Podiatrist for orthotics and invest in high quality shoes for your feet. We suggest and also offer the Vionic brand of shoes in our office.
- Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS) Taking the correct dosage of NSAIDS can help aid in the reduction of inflammation resulting in a decrease of pain. Of course, this is a temporary solution. Caution for those with Stomach Ulcers, Asthma, Bleeding or Allergies- please consult with your family Doctor.
When Surgery is Necessary
Heel Pain surgery is an option when conservative measures have failed to give you any relief.
Our board certified surgeons at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle will obtain digital x-rays in the office prior to surgery and will discuss every step of the procedure with you beforehand including recovery.
What Will The Surgery Be Like?
Heel pain surgery consists of a small incision on the bottom of the heel and generally takes about a half hour to complete under IV sedation. This is an outpatient surgery that Da Vinci Foot and Ankle currently performs at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, Ga, Putnam General in Eatonton, GA and University McDuffie Hospital in Thomson, GA. Due to the anesthesia, patients are not permitted to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery and are not permitted to drive themselves home after the surgery. Lastly, a prescription for pain medicine and a full recovery plan will be provided to the patient after the procedure.
After Heel Pain Surgery
The postoperative course for heel pain surgery includes a sterile dressing and a walking boot. It is imperative that the dressing is not tampered with until the Doctor sees the patient 1 week after operation. This will minimize any potential risk for infection.
In general it is advised to decrease or modify your activities after surgery, however; each patient is different and will respond to post operative scenarios differently. The post operative care plan will be specific to each patient’s needs.
Aside from our extensive surgical training, one thing that also separates Da Vinci Foot and Ankle from the competition is that we treat all of our surgical patients with MLS Laser Therapy immediately after surgery. This additional care enhances tissue healing, reduces swelling and pain, and ultimately speeds up patients recovery time.