The band of connective
tissues on the sole of the foot is called the plantar fascia. Extending from
the heel to the toes, the plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot. If the
tissues are injured due to excessive strain, the area can become inflamed and
painful. This foot disorder is called plantar fasciitis.
Athletes, especially
runners, are prone to this condition. This also holds true for obese people,
elderly people, pregnant women, and individuals with a flat foot or high foot
arch. Surgery is usually taken as the last recourse to correct the condition,
especially because plantar fasciitis recovery time can be long. However,
athletes often opt for surgery to lessen the chance that symptoms will recur.
Also, some people may realize that surgery is their only viable option.
Before even considering
surgery, doctors try non-invasive treatment methods including rest, stretching
and strengthening exercises, orthotics, arch support, night splints, use of
proper footwear, ice compression, physical therapy and the like. The majority
of patients respond well to these methods of treatment. However, a few may have
to undergo surgery.
The surgical procedure for
treating this foot condition is done by partially releasing the plantar fascia
to release the tension and relieve the heel pain. The heel bone spur that
usually accompanies this foot condition will also be removed. The surgery is
often done using a local anesthetic and, barring complications, the patient can
go home a few hours after the surgery. To ensure proper recovery after surgery,
the patient must take good care of his feet.
During the first month after
surgery, movement of the feet should be restricted and the feet should be
allowed to rest as much as possible. The feet must be kept clean and dry to
avoid infection. The patient will have to see the doctor regularly to have the
dressing changed and the feet examined to ensure proper healing. During the
recovery period, the patient should use crutches or a walker to move around.
Plantar fasciitis shoes or an air cast may be worn to provide adequate support
for the feet.
After one month, the patient
may be allowed to resume some of his normal activities, but standing and
walking should still be kept to a minimum. After six weeks, physical therapy
may be applied to help normalize the feet.
The recovery time for
plantar fasciitis surgery varies depending on the patient, and the severity of
the condition. In general, young people recover much faster than elderly
people. It can take around 3 to 4 weeks for the tissues to heal, and complete
recovery can take place after a few months. In many cases, however, recovery
time can take almost a year.
The time can be shortened by exercising regularly
and doing plantar fasciitis stretches.
Get rid of Plantar Fasciitis by finding out what Plantars Fasciitis treatment
is the most effective!
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