I started having severe pain in my left heal about 6 to 7 years
ago. Because my favorite form of exercise is walking, this really
upset me. Even thought I didn't like it, I was learning to live with
the problem, until about a year ago. I usually take my car to a
repair shop that is about three miles from home. Because of my
foot problem, I usually put my bike in the back of the car and
then rode home after dropping off the car. Well, this one time
I decided to try to walk home. After about a mile and a half,
I had to call someone to get me because I could not endure the
pain anymore.
This was the last straw and I decided to do something about the
problem. I obtained a referral to a podiatrists. The first thing
the podiatrist did was take x-rays of both of my feet. The x-rays
showed that I had a small "bone spur" under both heals
(calcaneus bone). He was not too worried about the "bone spurs,"
but said my problem was "plantar fasciitis." Plantar fasciitis is
an inflammation of the fascia, the fascia being a tissue that forms
a sheath for the plantar muscle. The plantar muscle is the muscle
that extends from the ball of the foot to the heal. We discussed
the possible treatments and decided to start with cortisone
injections in the heal, physical and ultrasound therapy.
He also prescribed an orthopedic insert for my shoe.
Things went alright for a while, but my job keeps me on my feet
for many hours. The cortisone would help the pain for about two
days and then it would be right back. After eight week or so I
decided that it was time to take the more drastic action - surgery.
The doctor told me about a relatively new procedure called
"endoscopic plantar fasciatomy" that had helped several of his
patients. I told him that I was ready for anything that would
help and let do it as soon as possible.
The procedure entails making two incisions in the foot, one on
each side of the heal. A probe with a fiber optic sensor is passed
through one of the incisions and a scalpel is passed through
the other side. A part of the fascia is cut to relieve the tension.
The surgery only lasts about one hour, is done under local
anesthesia and mild sedation. You are on your way home in less
than two hours after arriving at the hospital. I was quite
surprised the doctor wanted me on my feet immediately after
the surgery. No crutches! I was able to walk out to the car
without assistance. The post surgery pain was moderate and
only lasted about two days. The doctor encouraged me to slowly
increase my activity and within a three to four weeks I was walking
about a mile. I stayed home from work for four week but felt like I
could have gone back after three.
It has now been 11 weeks since the surgery. Yesterday, I was able to
partake in my favorite outdoor activity - I went on my first Volksmarch
(10k walk) in almost four years. I am virtually pain free and on my
way to enjoying my life style again, not to mention work is much better.
I highly recommend this surgery but I understand that it is not for
everyone. Try the preliminary treatments first and don't rush
into the surgery right away.
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