Who has had PF release and how are you doing now? I am considering it since I have had pain for 1 year. Tried shock therapy and didn’t work.
Thanks!
I will be keeoing an eye on this thread as I have had it back for approx 14 months. The limited research that I have done advises the surgery as a last resort. I have tried it all, stretching, ice, NSAID’s, etc, etc. Bottom line new shoes do help alot and orthotics help. It takes alot of rest and the load that is put on the fascia must be reduced. Me I need to drop 20 lbs. Good luck.
Well, I’ve never had the surgery (but I’ve had PF before), but I’ve performed about 200 of them. The endoscopic approach (as popularized by Barrett and Day) has seen over 30,000 procedures over the last 15 years with good success (about 75% report their outcome as good to excellent, visual analog pain scale of 2/10 vs. 8/10 pre-op, or would recommend the procedure to their friends/relatives) - depends upon how you define success. The release itself is basically just performing what YOU have been trying to do for the last year or more (i.e. posterior calf stretches, arch stretches, support, time, etc.). Since studies show that over 95% of PF cases respond to conservative therapy, make sure you have done so (sounds like it). After the 1 year mark, I offer the release (either open or endoscopic) to my patients and together we decide the next step. Some choose to live with it or go a little longer. No problem.
Good Luck!
I know, everything I read says it is the last resort, yet I know 3 people who have had the release and all are 100% now, so I guess it gives us some hope. I think (or at least I hope) that the surgery has come a long way the past few years and perhaps the key is finding someone really good to do it???
Have you tried myofacial release? I was chronic for almost 2 years and sought treatmant forma rolfer/myofacial specialist.
I am assymptomatic now 9 months and completely pain-free.
Well, I’ve never had the surgery (but I’ve had PF before), but I’ve performed about 200 of them. The endoscopic approach (as popularized by Barrett and Day) has seen over 30,000 procedures over the last 15 years with good success (about 75% report their outcome as good to excellent, visual analog pain scale of 2/10 vs. 8/10 pre-op, or would recommend the procedure to their friends/relatives) - depends upon how you define success. The release itself is basically just performing what YOU have been trying to do for the last year or more (i.e. posterior calf stretches, arch stretches, support, time, etc.). Since studies show that over 95% of PF cases respond to conservative therapy, make sure you have done so (sounds like it). After the 1 year mark, I offer the release (either open or endoscopic) to my patients and together we decide the next step. Some choose to live with it or go a little longer. No problem.
Good Luck!
That sums it up for me, thanks for the great reply.
RROOF:
I have read many of our posts and thank you for the time you put in to help people. It is really nice of you and your info is helpful. I just got off the phone with friend/orthopod who believes that I have a nerve issue. Have you done a procedure to release the nerve? Whats’ the deal w/ that? Is the procedure similar to the PF release?
Thanks again for your input.
Don’t do the release. A sports medicine doctor I know recently completed a study that proved to be over 98% effective in eliminating plantar fasciitis over a 3-month period. The protocol is as follows:
Stretch the injured leg/foot (preferably doing a “stair stretch”) for 3 minutes, 3 times a day. I am a witness to the effectiveness, as I tried ultrasound, ART, etc., but the stretching truly works.
Good luck.
Yes, I also do the Baxter’s nerve entrapment release. It is a much more complex surgery (for the surgeon that is), but the actual trauma to you is still minimal. A quick way to test for this is to see if you can flare your pinky toes. If you can’t on the painful heel side, this may be an issue. Pain is also a little more “burning” and more on the inside of the heel with some radiation, not the typical inferior medial heel pain, worse with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting, that plantar fasciitis tends to have. You will have a much harder time finding a surgeon skilled in this release as the numbers will be quite small.
Hoosier - again, MULTIPLE studies over the past 20 years show greater than 95% of PF cases respond to conservative treatment, just like I posted, but there are people out there who do not. Again, 3 months with PF is nothing (stinks, but too short). Need to wait at least 1 year before entertaining surgical options in my opinion.
Before you do the surgery, please try ART! I can’t tell you how much this works! I too did stretching, icing, the night splint with not much success. ART literally a few sessions and it’s done! I get flare ups from time to time and just go see my ART guy again and it’s gone again after one or two sessions. I had a sesmoid (right below the big toe on the bottom of the foot) removed about 7 years ago and I have so much scar tissue in my foot and deal with lots of nerve pain in the ball of my foot because of it. I would never suggest foot surgery (sorry rroof) unless it’s your absolutely last resort!!!
Thanks. I have tried art. I tried everything!! So frustrating.
RROOF: I can’t really flex my big toe at the distal joint. If I force it, I get a nerve like zing which I assume is the tibial nerve. Could this be realted to my heel pain and what they think may be baxters nerve? My heel pain is not very medial, but rather in the center of the heel, and even lateral. Thanks again. I know a lot of elite runners who have this big toe thing and no one knows why they can’t flex it.
Have you tried injection of anti-inflammatory? I did all the usual stuff for like 8 months, then went with the injection and was probably 80 to 90% better within 3 days once the swelling from injection subsided. Continued stretching and support seems to have alleviated the rest of it. Knock on wood. Good luck with what ever course of action you choose.
I’ve never had PF, but I know several people that have used the TP Footballer product and had success. Have you tried this? Even though I haven’t had PF, I’ve had deep calf muscle issues that have been resolved this way. These are the calf muscles that can cause PF and the same ones that are very hard to stretch. The footballer gets in there and loosens them up, and supposedly in turn relieves the PF.
Worth a shot, especially before a surgical procedure!
Good luck.
See this link for demos: http://www.tpmassageball.com/footinjuries.php?sym=8
Thanks everyone. Believe me, I have tried it all besides surgery!!
I appreciate the responses. On another note I appreciate people trying to help. I have posted on letsrun and it is horrible. Someone always chimes in with a nasty insulting immature response. This site is so much better.
Yeah, letsrun is a joke, but I’m a runner (although I never offer FREE advice there as it is a waste of my time).
If your pain is more central and even lateral, then it is likely NOT Baxter’s nerve entrapment. Tarsal tunnel syndrome and/or plantar fasciitis do tend to go together if you have it long enough though. The limited ROM of the great toe though does put a lot more stress on the plantar fascia which is not helping things - actually, the release is a better options there.
Kestrelkerri - no sweat of my back! You see, your “success” with ART is limited to YOUR experience and that is all that matters. Although you are not really “healed” as you mentioned you keep “going back” with flare-ups and whatnot. Classic Chiropractor approach (nothing wrong with that though, just different avenues). Assuming the surgery was for the right reason/cause and you healed as you should, then you are done forever - big difference. Does it warrant a surgery? I don’t know, I just help educate my patients on what is best for them. I’m plenty busy 
Thanks RROOF Whera are you located?
You must be new to the forum
Where else but Cincinnati! Just joking - I’m not sure why, but there is a huge contingent from Cincy here. PM (personal message) me any other pertinent details as I know several “reputable” docs all over the country that you may want to consult with.
Hi RRoof
Not sure what Personal message means. I live in Flagstaff AZ. I could go to Phoenix. Do you know anyone there?
Thanks again. I really appreciate your advice
I’ll show you what a PM is … on the way!
I’ve had PF on and off for 10 years. When I first got it, I went to a podiatrist who speciializes in running injuries and it took him awhile but he finally diagnosed that I had torn the tendon where it attaches to the heel. Three cortisone shots and 2 1/2 years later I was finally able to run again. Maybe you have a torn tendon rather than mere inflamation. Good luck.
BTW I run on the balls of my feet and I injured myself running downhill in a race. Since then, I’m a heel striker when running downhill.