When Procedure is Used

Bone spurs in the heel place pressure on the muscles and ligaments in the foot, and they can stretch the plantar fascia. This stretching of the plantar fascia can create inflammation and develop into what is called plantar fasciitis, which causes pain, particularly in the morning when someone first gets up. As the plantar fascia loosen throughout the day, what is a sharp pain at first develops into more of an ache. Many people can avoid surgery by stretching the plantar fascia, using over-the-counter pain relievers, wearing orthotics, or trying injections, but a small percentage will need surgery to correct the problem.

During Surgery

You may receive a nerve block that prevents you from feeling your foot during the procedure, but depending on what your surgeon needs to do, you may be given general anesthesia. In many cases, releasing the plantar fascia by cutting part of it will ease the tension and greatly reduce inflammation. If the bone spur is large enough, however, the surgeon may decide to remove it as well.

Risks

The risk of complications is very low. However, potential risks might include

• allergic reactions to medications
• nerve damage
• bleeding
• infection
• weakening in the arch of the foot

Benefits

• elimination of or decrease in pain
• a return to normal activities