Ask a Question about Your Condiition

I have been dealing with foot pain in both feet for nearly seven years. I've had steroid shots which did nothing. I wear custom made orthotics, had my feet taped but still have cronic pain. I use to play basketball and enjoyed hiking, but those days are gone. I live my life by how much pain I have. I'm seeing a new doctor tomorrow who came highly recommended by a good friend that's a DPM. I'm at the end of my rope and I'm giving serious consideration to surgery. Has anyone had the surgery, who works on concreat surfaces and has had positive results. I have read good things and bad. Thanks for your input!

I had surgery in Feb. I am still out of work and have pain in my heel and my ankel is still swollen. I do, however, think that it will get better. I would do the surgery. It will only get worse if you don't.
Kay

Hello all!!

I have made several posts previously about my surgery, but none lately!! I had endoscopic pf surgery 4 months ago. I have been trying to figure out how to best be of help to all of you considering this surgery, would I do it again??? Absolutely!!!! Has it been a cure all??? no......not quite. I am now back to walking two miles a day, (a far cry from what I used to do), but before surgery, I could barely walk at all!! Is my pain gone? yes..and..no. I do not have the terrible ouch ouch ouch pain that I had prior to surgery, what I still have is a dull ache. I saw my doctor yesterday, and he wants me to do a couple of weeks of physical therapy, which I have not had post surgery. I am going to start next week. He also said it will take at least six to eight months for this to heal my heel. I believe that to be true. I realize I may always have some discomfort after a hard day of walking but I can handle that as long as I am not in pain! I still wear tennis shoes most of the time and NEVER barefoot. Today however I did several hours of errands and wore sandals and it is not bad!! It aches some but not that stabbing pain! I would give surgery a try, believe me I tried EVERYTHING else, and I am so glad I elected to have surgery. I am flying to Arizona this weekend, will let you know how short hikes are. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Will get back to you next week if any of you have further questions!! Good luck to all of you.........consider surgery, if you have suffered for a year or more, I am glad I did.
Lynn

Before considering surgery, have you considered trying ESWT? I am getting this done in about a week, I figure its worth a try, as it is non-invasive and has minimal to no side-effects. The worst possible thing about it, I've heard, is just that it may not work and costs a bit of money. It may be a valid option for you before you go under the knife. At least then, you will have exhausted all of your non-surgical options.

Check out my posting called Ultrasound Guided Trephination Procedure. There is no time off work or anything like that and it is working for a lot of people. Just a pain cause I think Dr. Herzog in ME is about the only orthopedic surgeon doing this.

I absolutely do NOT recommend the surgery. I have been suffering from this condition for 3 years and had the surgery 11 months ago. Instead of helping it actually made my condition WORSE!!! I regret the decision I made in having this surgery and think that the best alternative is to stick with the natural remedies (i.e. stretching, splints, ice, etc). I know some people will tell you that the condition will only get worse, but this is not always the case. If you continue to work on your feet then yes it will continue to plague you, but if you make changes in your life they will get a little better. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to do anything I can to get rid of my PF, but sadly the unfortunate truth of this condition is that there are a select few of us who will suffer from this condition either for a long long time or the rest of our lives. I was once a long distance runner in good shape and at a healthy weight. I now struggle to keep my weight at bay (and am 15 lbs overweight. It's a fight to even stay at the weight I am at.), can not walk the mall at Xmas, and must do my grocery shopping late at night to avoid any lines. I am 28 and have been dealing with this since I was 25. My whole life revolves around my feet and I am learning to adjust to this. It's a day to day struggle, but it has gotten a tiny tiny bit better Good luck with any decision you make.

Erica

I too am considering surgery. I have suffered with chronic PF and spurs for the last two years and it has effected all aspects of my life. Once moderately active, I have become much less active because the more activity the more pain. I have tried shots (ugh!!!), orthotics,night splints,anit-inflamitory drugs, ultrasound and physical therapy with no improvement. My orthopedic wants to try surgery next. I am a bit nervous but I am beginning to think it may be the right choice. My job requires me to be on a hard surface all the time and I am constantly on my feet. Not a chance to work sitting.Any advice?

Had the surgery in July 2009. Very happy with results. Still have a bit of discomfort but can live a relatively normal life. Think the most important thing is to find the right specialist. Wish I would have had the surgery two years ago, so much lost time.