Should I get plantar fasciitis surgery on both feet at the same time?

by Terese

Hello, I have been suffering with plantar fasciitis in both feet for over 8 months now. I've tried physical therapy, orthotics, and cortisone but the pain persists. The doctor has mentioned surgery as an option. I was skeptical at first, but now I am reconsidering.


I have read the testimonials on this site. It seems like there are good and bad results alike.

I am super active and the pain really interferes with my lifestyle. I am only 28 and can't imagine starting to raise a family with this pain.

If I choose to have the surgery, would it be practical to get it on both feet at once? Being out months is bad enough but if I have to get the surgery on both feet, I would be out even longer. What is the risk of having both feet done at once?

I am super frustrated and want to do the best thing. I hate the idea of being off my feet, yet I hate the idea of being in pain for many more years.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Terese


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Joshua Answer:

Hi Terese.

So let's see.

We've established that:

A. Time isn't likely to make it go away.

B. The usual options haven't worked.


I'm curious what exactly the doctor thinks that surgery would accomplish. And where exactly your feet would get cut into, and what exactly the surgeon would actually do in there?

I have some more questions, but here's answers to your questions.

Plantar Fasciitis Surgery on both feet at the same time. There are a couple downsides.

1. Imagine stepping on a nail with each foot and what that would be like for a few days. Now imagine what it would be like to step on a nail with just one foot.

So strategy wise, both feet are often done in sequence so you can limp around on one till it heals, and then limp around on the other once it heals.

The other downside is that if you get both done at the same time, even if you were to stay totally off
your feet for a few days, there's no way to get to the bathroom without putting weight on a freshly surgeried foot.


Having said that, I don't know whether you're facing major foot surgery, or a little, minor procedure. If they are both -little- surgeries, it might be worth it to set up your week to stay off your feet for several days, and you might actually reduce the down time.


Questions:

1. Do you know what kind of surgery was recommended to you, and how extensive it is predicted to be?


2. Did this pain just show up out of the blue? Did it come on over time? Was there an injury or event?


3. How bad is the pain? When is it worst? Does it get better?


4. Age 28...describe your diet?


5. What kind of activity are you active with? How much, how often? What do you do for work? On your feet or sitting or?


6. Any other Tendonitis pain or symptoms anywhere else?


7. How's your health in general?


8. Did the doc give you a percentage of likelihood of a 100% successful surgery?


I have plenty of suggestions...but give me more info so I can attempt to be more accurate.

8 months is a long time. And I'm not a fan of surgery, fair warning. So let's see what else we can come up with.





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Please reply using the comment link below. Do not submit a new submission to answer/reply, it's too hard for me to find where it's supposed to go.

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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com
















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Comments for Should I get plantar fasciitis surgery on both feet at the same time?

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Aug 18, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		PART 2 - More information about me - Should I get plantar fasciitis surgery on both feet at the same time?
by: Terese

Joshua,

The doctor has described the surgery as moderate. The surgery would involve making several injections into the side of the foot, removing part of the fascia. He gave a success rate of 80-90% with 6-8 weeks off my feet. I didn't ask him about how he would approach my specific case of having plantar fasciitis in both feet but I assume he was speaking as if he would do one foot at a time.

To answer your questions:

I ran a marathon last year and after the marathon I went to get a new pair of shoes. They discontinued the shoe I have been wearing for the last 8 years so I tried something "similiar". I had pain after my first run in those shoes. It started in the left foot and 3 months later presented in the right foot. I got new shoes and the orthotics, but it was too late. I've also tried the night brace. I'm not great about wearing it, but I'm becoming desperate so I'm wearing it more.

The pain is worse in the mornings and even worse on a morning after a day of lots of activity. I still work out and play sports but my running is minimal (I used to run lots of races). I am very active. At least 6 days a week of some type of activity. The days I do more, it hurts more. It would seem obvious to anyone that I should stay off my feet but not being active is almost as miserable as the pain. If I thought staying off my feet would take it away forever, I would. This hasn't been suggested as a treatment. As for work, I am on and off my feet but standing/walking is minimal.

My diet is pretty good. For the most part I eat healthy including fruits, veggies, whole grain, etc. The flaw in my diet is my sweet tooth. I love sugar!

I don't have a lot of pain elsewhere. I have pains associated with the various sports I play but nothing chronic. My health is good which is why this condition is not condusive with how I would like to live.

Any further suggestions? I realize staying off my feet makes the pain go away, but as soon as I start up again, the pain is back. I'm looking for a long term solution, hopefully not surgical, but I'll do whatever it takes.

Thanks,
Terese
Oct 08, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		I feel your pain Terese
by: Leo

Hi Terese,

I have the same problem you have.

Mine is only on my right foot. I got Dr. prescribed othotics and I have been doing the exercises but nothing seems to work. I play soccer and the cleats seem to really make the problem worse.

I'm tired of the pain and swelling, I just want it to go away. They recently adjusted my othotics and the Dr. mentioned that they may have to do surgery if the problem persists.

Let me know if you come across any solutions. I want to avoid surgery.

thanks,
Leo
Oct 08, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		PART 3 - Should I get plantar fasciitis surgery on both feet at the same time?
by: The Tendonitis Expert

Thanks for jumping in Leo. Seeing your post had me see I lost track of Terese's thread. Yikes.

Sorry Terese. I'm over a month behind getting back to you. (Changed a thing in my system so that shouldn't happen any more.)

So. How's things a month+ later?

Ok, so I'd say the switch to new shoes set off a pre-existing Pain Causing Dynamic of increasing tightness, shortness, and pain.

This didn't injure you, it just sent you over a threshold where you system is not keeping a lot of pain in place.

For Terese and Leo, first and formost, I would follow the directions as described on the How To Reduce Inflammation page.

Have you already been doing that?

I say and show a lot on 'The Plantar Fasciitis Treatment That Works' DVD. You might want to check that out.

Foot pain comes in many forms. Sometimes it's nutitional. Up your Omega 3 fat intake, add in some Coconut Oil too, and it's worth seeing if you notice benefit from upping your Magnesium levels.

More questions, more answers. And updates too!

Sep 10, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Plantar fasciitis release on both feet at the same time
by: Kelly B.

I had plantar fasciitis release surgery on both of my feet Dec 7th 2017 I was told I had a lot of scaring and tears they fixed also ....now it is March 7th 2018 and today was my first day back to work and my feet have been hurting worse than even before the surgery.

I really dread working right now I have an antiflamitory cream I have to put on my feet 2 to 4 times a day I stretch them massage them and even wear night splints and nothing seems to help with the pain ...I don't know what to do anymore cause I have to work being a single mom...also since I got off work today it is very swollen where the incision site is.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Kelly.

Well, what the doctors tend to not mention is that the surgery is traumatic to the body, and that recovery isn't a sure thing.

The surgery severed the pillars of a bridge, basically, so one can imagine that the bridge isn't going to be quite like it was before.

As per your description, you have a ton of inflammation process happening in the feet (pain enhancing chemical which is being pumped out and making neuroreceptors far too sensitive), the brain is freaking out and doesn't know how to help other than to create more pain, and now with each step the mobile structures of the feet are moving FAR more than they ever have before (and that is causing it's own problems).

At best, that's going to take some time to dial down.

Unfortunately your doctor didn't give you any recovery self-care (well, nothing that could really help).

This is very helpful for decreasing pain levels: see: How To Reduce Inflammation

It's not a fix per se, but it lowers pain levels, decreases swelling and inflammation, and gets extra new blood into the area.



See Related:
Surgery For Plantar Fasciitis On Both Feet At Once For Extreme High Arches
Sep 10, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I had pf surgery on both feet 4 months ago but still have pain when getting up in the morning or from sitting
by: Manny A

As the title states, after 4 months, i still have pains much like pressure pains , seem to be relieved after a good stretch, my doctor gave me a shot that he said for inflamation but the
Pains remain.

Is there relief with this condition ? Whats the next best step to followv? I really want to know whats happening to both my feet, would an mri get closer to the cause ?

Tx. Manny


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Joshua Comments:

Well, an MRI would show you some things but there's nothing in a doctor's tool box that can help you now (well, that's a safe bet, anyways).

See my response in the proceeding comment.




See Related:
Still In Pain After Planta Fasciitis Surgery

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