Heel Bone Spur Surgical Treatment
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Heel spur surgery maybe the last resort for many heel spurs suffers. Heel spur surgery is usually only considered after conservative treatment options have been used without success. Severe pain from a heel spur can be very difficult to tolerate, and every movement can be almost unbearable. Fortunately, surgery is successful in treating pain in most cases, although there are always potential side effects that every sufferer must become aware of.
Types of Heel Surgery Procedures
Treating foot pain with heel spur surgery may be done in a couple different ways. Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is the first way to eliminate pain. In this procedure two slits are made around the heel. Through these slits in the side of the heel a small camera is inserted which allows the surgeon to see the injured area. He then detaches, or cuts, the plantar fascia ligament from the heel bone using a small knife, relieving stress and pain and allowing new fascia tissue to develop in the space that was created. With this procedure, the tension that created plantar fasciitis or heel spurs is eliminated.
Heel Spur Facts
There are also other heel surgeries that are performed in a slightly different way. In other procedures, the entire plantar fascia may not be cut. Instead, only a portion of the ligament is detached. Some surgeons feel that this procedure is not as effective as endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, while others think that it has better results. Regardless, it is a good idea to talk to your orthopedic surgeon to learn about each individual procedure that is available for your condition and to choose the one that is most appropriate for you.
In addition to these heel spur surgical procedures, the surgeon can also decide to remove the spur itself during the operation. When this occurs, the surgeon, while guided by a small camera, uses small instruments to completely remove the bony fragment of calcium. This may seriously diminish occurrences of pain in the heel since it prevents the tissue around the heel from being damaged further by the bone fragment.
Heel spur surgery should be used only as a last option after other, more conservative treatment methods have failed to produce effective results. When a heel spur is identified and treated early, conservative methods usually prove to be very effective, particularly orthotic shoe inserts. However, if left unchecked a heel spur and its symptoms could become more serious and heel spur surgery may then be needed.
Risks of Heel Spur Operation
With any surgical procedure, with heel spur surgery there are risks and possible negative results that you must be aware of before entering the procedure. For example, there is often a recovery period where you must limit weight bearing to allow the tissue to heal. In addition, there can be damage to nerve tissue during the procedure that could cause numbing afterwards in various areas around the heel. In rare cases, heel pain may persist after surgery, although in most cases pain usually diminishes after about a week.
Heel Spur Surgery with Prevention
Many factors contribute to the formation of a heel spur such as ill-fitting shoes, repetitive or excessive stress on the feet, overuse, sudden weight gain, and obesity. Addressing these factors can significantly improve your chances of preventing heel spurs. Also, if pain does become noticeable it is important to treat it immediately before symptoms worsen. If caught early, a heel spur can be successfully treated with conservative methods such as icing, resting, and stretching. Also, simple orthotic shoe inserts such as our famous Heel Seat Insoles can also reverse the symptoms of heel spurs and prevent reoccurrences.
When to Seeking Treatment
If you’ve been searching for podiatric surgeons for your foot and ankle needs, take time to meet with the Podiatry Group of Georgia. Our doctor has the experience and knowledge you need to help your feet and ankles feel their best. Give us a call today and set up an appointment for your initial consultation. Call us today
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