Rear Foot Surgery may be recommended for certain heel problems, but initially the podiatrist or physician will advise the patient to try less invasive treatments first, such as orthotics.
This surgery includes treatment for conditions related to the back portion of the foot or ankle. In the case of heel surgery, the most common conditions requiring treatment are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs which inflict pain on the heel.
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar Fasciitis is the swelling of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Heel Spur: A bone spur can form on the bottom of the heel from repeated stress on the muscles and fascia. Some are painless and others result in chronic pain.
Haglund’s Deformity: A bony protrusion on the back of the heel is called a haglund’s deformity. This condition is often caused by wearing high heeled shoes. When other treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to reduce pain associated with wearing shoes.
Insertional Achilles Clarification/Spur: The development of a spur at the insertion point of the Achilles tendon, frequently related to achilles tendonitis, is often treated surgically in chronic pain cases. Overuse usually causes trauma to the area and may require the removal of the bone spur and repair of the Achilles tendon.
Stress-based injuries: Rigorous exercise, entrapped nerves, bruises, bursitis, arthritis, deterioration of the fat pad on the heel and tight shoes can all cause damage to the muscles and/or fascia resulting in pain. Many of these rear foot conditions do not require surgery.
In cases where complex repairs are required, reconstructive surgery may be performed. This may entail bone fusion, joint implantation, bone grafting, tumor excision, or osteotomy, to name a few.
Pre-operative Procedures
Your physician will conduct and examination and request tests and/or blood work be performed. Your medical condition and current medications will be considered for proper procedures. After Surgery Following surgery, your physician will evaluate your progress to determine how long you must stay off your feet to allow for healing. He or she might indicate rest, ice, compression and elevation, depending on the individual procedure performed.