Most patients with plantar fasciitis improve within nine to 12 months of using nonsurgical treatment methods. These include resting, avoiding activities that aggravate pain, and wearing shoes with good support.

If your symptoms persist, orthopedic surgery may be necessary. The procedure involves either open or endoscopic surgery through small incisions on your foot.

Open Surgery

Open surgery involves a surgeon making a skin incision on the bottom of your heel to expose the plantar fascia ligament and release tension. Your doctor may use either a scalpel or an endoscope, which is a small camera connected to surgical instruments. Endoscopic surgery is less invasive, but it’s not always as effective as open surgery.

Your doctor will evaluate your condition and take a medical history before performing surgery. They will also take diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or an MRI.

Depending on the type of surgery, your orthopedic doctor may recommend that you don’t drive afterward. They will likely give you specific instructions about pain medication and other post-op care. Make sure you follow them carefully to ensure a full recovery. Follow-up appointments will allow your doctor to monitor your progress and address any concerns you might have. They will also provide guidance about shoes and orthotics that can help support your foot health.

Endoscopic Surgery

If home treatments like icing, orthotic inserts, and stretching exercises do not relieve symptoms, surgery may be required. However, the vast majority of patients with plantar fasciitis do not require surgical treatment.

Your healthcare provider makes 1 or 2 incisions (less than 1/2 inch long) on the bottom of your foot. Then a small camera and scope are inserted through these incisions to see the problem. Your healthcare provider uses the camera to guide a hook knife and cut part of the plantar fascia near your heel bone.

Some cases of chronic plantar fasciitis require proximal medial gastrocnemius release or PMGR (which is also known as an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy). Several studies show high patient satisfaction and pain reduction with this procedure, but the results are difficult to prove because most studies do not have a control group that did not undergo surgery. Our unique Seg-WAY endoscopic system allows our surgeon unparalleled visualization and control during the procedure.

Topaz Coblation Therapy

The TOPAZ coblation procedure uses a radiofrequency device that breaks up scar tissue in the plantar fascia (the band of tissue on the bottom of your foot). This is an option for patients who have failed conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, injections, icing, orthotics, therapeutic exercises, and modification of trigger activities.부산족저근막염

Your physician will explain the procedure to you before it is performed. They will also review your medical history to determine if you have any conditions that could impact the outcome of your treatment.부산정형외과

Local anesthesia is applied to the affected foot or ankle, and a grid pattern is drawn on the skin. The surgeon carefully inserts the TOPAZ device, which resembles a specialized sewing needle, into each spot on the grid. When the device is activated, it emits radiofrequency waves that break down thickened scar tissue without harming surrounding areas. This deliberate “micro-trauma” stimulates your body’s natural healing process and promotes new, healthy tissue growth.

Physical Therapy

Your doctor may recommend surgery to release tension on the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. The surgeon will make an incision in the skin and use tools inserted through this opening to perform the surgery. They will also remove bone spurs, if present. The incisions will be closed with sutures. You will need to wear a shoe with good support, as the area in which you were operated on will be tender and weak for a while.

Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for plantar fasciitis, and can help you recover faster after surgery. Your physical therapist will design a personalized program of exercises to increase your foot and ankle strength and improve flexibility. They can also use other treatment modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation. Manual therapy techniques, such as the Graston Technique, can break up tight or scarred tissue and reduce pain.