Plantar Fasciitis

Most of you who know me personally know that I have plantar fasciitis and have had foot pain daily for a number of years. I have tried what seems like every possible non-surgical treatment out there including stretching, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, physical therapy, cortisone injections, wearing cast boots, night splints, taping, orthotics, and probably a few more in the 7 or 8 years that I have had it. I have even had x-rays and an MRI. For those of you who don't know what plantar fasciitis is and would like to know please check out this link. (I am lucky enough to have it in both feet). Weight has a lot to do with plantar fasciitis but apparently losing over 100 pounds wasn't enough in my case to make it any better.

Having plantar fasciitis has made it very difficult for me to exercise (which I really should be doing more of since my surgery). For example, when I did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in November my feet hurt so bad by the end that I was hobbling and saying ouch with every step. This is a daily occurance for me though. It hurts every day when I wake up and all throughout the day. It hurts when I am on my feet for too long (which can be even a short period of time), it hurts when I get up after sitting for a while, it just hurts a majority of the time. I have not been all that great about excercising since my surgery mainly because of this. Even walking hurts my feet.

So, after years and years of pain, I have finally decided to have surgery on my feet this month- the 21st to be exact. The surgery consists of one incision on the inside part of the heel of each of my feet. They then go in and cut 2/3 of the plantar fascia at the base of my heel and sew me back up. Where the plantar fascia has been cut, new tissue will grow to lengthen it. I'm just hoping that it won't keep hurting on the side where the doctor doesn't cut the plantar fascia. They don't typically cut the whole thing at once since there is a greater risk of having your arches fall. I'm sure there are a lot of other good reasons too. But anywho, my doctor doesn't just cut the whole thing at once. After the surgery I will have to wear some lovely cast boots for several weeks. I have worn them before for about 3 months. I call them moon boots. Seriously, they look like something from the lunar landing.

....see????? I am also going to have crutches for the first few days or so too. Apparently I will need them to steady myself. Yea! Fun. : ( Luckily I was able to borrow a pair from a coworker.

So, that's the fun and excitement around here. I hope to God this surgery works! Wish me luck.