Who here had surgery for PF?

C.squared

I know someone here has, just can't remember who - sorry!  Just curious what other things you tried first, how long before you had surgery and how you're feeling now.  I'm nervous that I'm headed down that path, so just curious what your experience has been.  It's only been about 12 weeks for me, but my ortho isn't happy with the amount of pain still there (after resting completely for those 12 weeks, stretches, exercises, icing, oral steroids, night splint, and injection into the foot).  It's still pure agony to just walk - it's all day and doesn't really get better as the day goes on.  Did you see an ortho or podiatrist?  TIA!  

Mush-Tastic

I haven't had surgery, but definitely have PF. Have you tried orthotics? I only ask because it's the one thing you didn't mention above, but I finally had to go see a podiatrist and get custom orthotics made. It's the only thing that worked for me.

C.squared

I haven't tried orthotics and I'll definitely bring them up the next time I'm there.  I had them when I injured my knee years ago and they really helped.  It honestly feels better when I don't have any shoes on while I'm at home (mostly on carpet).  Good call to ask about it, though.  Thanks!

Mush-Tastic

C.squared:

I haven't tried orthotics and I'll definitely bring them up the next time I'm there.  I had them when I injured my knee years ago and they really helped.  It honestly feels better when I don't have any shoes on while I'm at home (mostly on carpet).  Good call to ask about it, though.  Thanks!

Ah yes, definitely look into orthotics. I would only do surgery if it was a last resort. I just had a friend get orthotics a couple weeks ago for a recent diagnosis of PF and it's really helped him too. 

I'm just now getting to the point, 8 months post original diagnosis, where I only have to wear my orthotics if I'm going to be on my feet for long periods of time. I don't even have to wear them running before. At my worst I was on crutches because the pain was so bad. Good luck with everything. Out of all my running injuries, I do fully believe PF has been the most painful. It's not fun to deal with by any means. Keep us updated!

C.squared

Thanks so much for the advice!  I've also had a few different running injuries and this is by far the worst.  So incredibly painful and so frustrating to have to take SO much time off to still be in so much pain.  I haven't been good about "cross training" while I can't run, so I'm just ready to get back and do something.  Finally went for a bike ride with DD this weekend and it felt great, but it's so much more involved than putting my shoes on and going for a run  I just got the cortisone injection a week ago and the ortho said to come back in 3 weeks if it isn't better, so I have a feeling I'll end up back there.  Glad to hear a few success stories, though!!!

mamie&cc

I had the shockwave therapy which I'd say was 90% effective for over 5 years now. Every now and then I feel it a little, but overall I'm happy going that route vs. surgery.

dirtyred

I had PF surgery (as well as having another foot issue corrected) this past January.  I did stretches, icing, cortisone injections, night splint, and orthotics to no avail.  I was seeing a podiatrist, and he did the surgery endoscopically--a small incision on either side of my foot--as opposed to traditional surgery, which is a horseshoe shaped incision on your heel.

Because of the other foot issue, my PF may never be fully asymptomatic, but I can say that it is VASTLY improved by the surgery.  I still stretch in the morning and a couple of times during the day and roll my foot on a golf ball when I first get up, but I no longer have to wear the night splint and I'm pretty much issue free during the day.

I did have a relapse last week (had to run to two codes at work) which put me back in my post surgical boot and icing x3 during the day for a couple of days, but I'm quickly back to where I was before the codes.  I figure that I will never be able to run again, but at least I can walk!