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Hi. I am a former runner in my late twenties and I've had plantar fasciitis now for two and a half years. Over the course of those years I have had PT, custom made orthotics, changed my shoes, had a night splint, stopped running all together, had four cortisone shots, taped my foot, iced it, stretched and finally, had Topaz surgery. It's been a year since my surgery and I am still unable to stand for any length of time. Also, I have not experienced a day without pain while walking for those two and a half years. Giving up running was hard, but it had to be done and now I swim and bike. The orthopedic surgeon whom I have been seeing has now given me the option of fasciotomy surgery. I am completely hesitant because of the side effects and the long recovery. I guess my question is, is there anyone out there who has experienced chronic plantar fasciitis for as long or longer than I have that skipped the surgery and eventually had success through conventional methods like stretching, applying ice and resting or is surgery the only option? Thanks.

mkat161 wrote: is there anyone out there who has experienced chronic plantar fasciitis for as long or longer than I have that skipped the surgery and eventually had success ...Thanks.

YES!!! i suffered from 2000 - 2006, and my feet are fabulous now! i've posted a number of times, most recently here (look for my username, ginapf):
http://www.plantar-fasciitis.org/talk/topic35.html

keep clicking the imbedded links to read my story of misery - and recovery!

best, gina

Hey MKAT161, If you believe in miracles then put those things on your toes and it will give length
to your fascia ligament. Unreal the things people try to make a buck off of. And the reason we are
having this pain is the fascia has healed in a shortened state and if it has been too long and the 10
months for me is already too long( yes surgery is no doubt the answer). they cut the ligament and the
scar tissue takes the place of the cut part and that's what gives it more length and supposedly less
pain. Alot of rehab afterwards I take it and if you stick with it you can become pain free if everything
heals correctly. I am not looking forward to that. In the mean time buy you the RX MEDICAL CUSTOM
CLOUD shoes from CROCS they are hands down the most comfortable shoes that you can actually
walk in with not much pain. Nothing else will help if you are in the pain I am in. Have heel pain and arch
and ball of foot pain and these shoes are great. If you wear a 10 usually then order the M9M and it will be
perfect I tried the wides and they were way too wide. I can actually walk around now and at work.
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-2157-4-rx-medi ... ries=2,126

Just wanted to respond to the surgery question. I had endoscopic plantar fasciitis surgery 4 weeks ago. Yes I had pain for almost two years. Went through everything, shots, orthodics, therapy, walking cast, stopped almost all activity. You name it I tried it.
I saw 3 differnt doctors about the surgery before I had it. I truly believe endoscopic is by far the least invasive with the same outcome as full open surgery. The surgery itself is a piece of cake with very very little discomfort. I was non weight bearing for about 48 hours. I then went to a walking cast (cam walker) for 2 and 1/2 weeks. I am now in a regular tennis shoe. Now for the big question.....Did it work????? I have very high hopes. I do not have any of the pain I did before. Right now I am at the stage where it feels like a tooth ache. By that I mean if I am on it for a long period, it feels tired. The doctor said it takes 5 weeks for the scar tissue to form, so stay away for any exercise for at least six weeks. I don't think I could run or power walk at this time. I have been on my feet for long long periods of time and again, it just feels tired. I believe this was the answer for me. So far I would highly recommend it. Now I will be able to let you know more in a couple of weeks when I start exercising again. Do not waste your time or money on yoga toes. I believe it could do further damage from all the professionals I have spoken with. Good luck, let me know if you have any questions I can answer for you about the surgery.
Lynn

Lynn keep me posted please because I am going to have it I believe haven't talked to the
surgeon yet.

Hi all,

Scott, Did you go to the doctor about having surgery?
Well it is six weeks now post epf surgery. How am I doing????? I was hoping all the ache in my foot would be gone now, but it is not. Today however it felt great! I went for a two mile walk and it feels good. Right now it is not even aching. I wonder if it is because I haven't been on my feet too much except for that. The other day it was fairly sore all day. My biggest complaint I would say is I am still at this point unable to wear any shoe except a tennis shoe. I am going to try some dress shoes on Sunday, so I will see how that goes. Fortunately, I wear tennis shoes at work. Summer is around the corner and I don't want to be stuck in tennis shoes again this year. I do not seem to have the constant severe pain I was in before surgery. Right now I would still recommend it. It is certainly better than before surgery, I am just anxious to make sure it will be gone forever. Will keep you informed!
Lynn

hi i had surgery on my PL in Feb last year and i still have pain, not in the PL but on the outside of foot. drs have diagnosed it as lateral collapse and now there is nothing they can do so i have to put up with it. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SURGERY GET ALL THE FACTS FIRST, MAKE SURE YOU TRY ALL OTHER TREATMENT BEFOREHAND AND GET A SECOND OPINION. The surgeon i had was very keen to cut me open but didnt give me any other options. BE CAREFUL

Hi Again,
I went ahead with the surgery. I have a great doctor and am confident in him. We considered all my options before I went into surgery (He's been my foot doctor for two years). My fascia was so tight it was as hard as a bone! I am now in a walking cast for three weeks. Then it's cast off and onto physical therapy. The surgery hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. There were a lot of horror stories posted on the web and I was frightened going into it. I can't say that I am not going to develop pain in other places, but for me I had to go through with this because It wasn't getting better and I already couldn't stand very well and walking places most days was like having a dagger in the back of me heal. That is no life for an athletic someone in their 20s. I know that recovering is going to be a long road, but I am determined. After everything, if it all doesn't work, at least I know I tried everything. If I develop pain in other places on my foot that is something that I knew before surgery could happen and it is something I am going to have to live with and deal with. I made a decision and will have to deal with the outcome whatever it may be. Thanks for all the advice. Now, my advice for anyone considering this surgery is #1 and most important find an excellent surgeon. Don't rely on a doctor who is full of themself about the surgical procedure with no evidence to back up their claims. For example, research their credentials. Get more than one opinion and find out how many surgeries that doctor has performed and how many of those surgeries were a success. If you don't start from the beginning with a good doctor everything that comes after won't matter. That's my opinion and you can take it or leave it.

I erred previously, PF was not what I had.