Over 80% of the world’s population has had foot problems at some point in their lives. In many cases, it was heel pain that was caused by plantar fasciitis, which can be very stubborn to treat sometimes. That’s why percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy exists – it eliminates heel pain when other, more conventional treatment options fail to show results.
What Is Percutaneous Ultrasonic Fasciotomy?
Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that is used to treat recurring pain in the heel of the foot caused by plantar fasciitis. It’s an outpatient procedure that can be performed in the doctor’s office; it’s very simple and has a high success rate – it has been proven that even the most stubborn heel pain is relieved by up to 90%.
Even though it’s a minimally invasive procedure, every podiatrist will only recommend it as a last resort, if you’ve already tried all other methods and the pain always keeps coming back. Before you book an appointment for a percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy, you should look into some more conventional, non-surgical treatment options.
There are many standard therapies used to treat plantar fasciitis, some are more successful than others, but it’s important to note that it’s all highly individual, and treatments that worked well for someone else might not end up working for you. You can try physical therapy, special shoes, and other foot-supporting equipment, and you should also look into injection therapies.
What Is Treated With It?
Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is a procedure used to treat plantar fasciitis – a condition that causes pain in the heel of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a medical term used to describe the tear in the plantar fascia, a rather thick part of the tissue that connects the toes to the heel of the bone on the bottom of your foot. It acts as a pressure absorbent to the foot, and if the pressure during an intense activity gets to be too big of a strain on the tissue, it can tear, causing a lot of discomfort and pain.
Who Can Suffer From Tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy is an injury caused by a strain in the tendon. It most commonly affects older people, those who take certain medications on a daily basis, people doing intense physical activities in poor form, as well as athletes.
How to Prepare for the Procedure?
When it comes to percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy, there is no extensive preparation needed for the procedure. However, it’s still a surgery, and there are some things your podiatrist might ask from you, such as not eating or drinking a certain amount of time before the procedure. You should also consult your doctor if you are currently taking any daily medications, as some of them could be blood thinners and have an impact on the success and recovery time of your procedure. Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is performed under local anesthesia, so there is no need to worry or be nervous, as you shouldn’t be feeling any pain.
How Long Does the Recovery Last
Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is a very simple outpatient procedure, but it still requires some recovery time. The amount of time you will need to fully recover after having foot surgery is highly individual, and it can vary from one person to another. Some people get back on their feet a week after surgery, while others need at least a month to get back to their regular daily routines.
You will need a few days of rest after the percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy, where you don’t apply any pressure to the foot and you keep it elevated. During this time, you may need crutches to help you with walking or even a walking boot to relieve some of the pressure. People usually recover after 10 days, but it may take a couple of months for the tissue to completely heal.
Talk to Your Doctor in Miami and Learn All About Percutaneous Ultrasonic Fasciotomy
Foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis is not an easy thing to live with. It can cause a lot of discomfort during simple, everyday activities such as running or even walking. There are many more conservative treatment options you should consider before embarking on a medical procedure. However, if the pain is too stubborn, don’t hesitate to contact us and book an appointment at the Luxe Foot Surgery clinic. The best doctor in Miami will perform percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy and relieve the annoying pain you’ve been experiencing in the heel of your foot.
FAQ
What Is Percutaneous Ultrasonic Fasciotomy?
Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is a type of minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. It is most commonly used as a last resort, for patients that have tried other methods, such as physical therapy but didn’t get the wanted results.
Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is an outpatient procedure that lasts around 5-10 minutes from start to finish. A doctor will make a small incision along the bottom of your foot, insert the probe, and the ultrasonic energy will break down the problematic tissue. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
What Are the Complications of Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy?
Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is another type of procedure that treats plantar fasciitis. Even though endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is a minimally invasive procedure, it’s more invasive than percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy, so it carries more risks. Some of the complications that may occur include recurring pain, nerve entrapment, an infection, slow healing after the surgery, and so on.
What Effect Does Ultrasound Have On Plantar Fasciitis?
The reason why percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy is so successful at treating plantar fasciitis is that the sound waves from the probe have the effect of breaking up the damaged tissue that causes pain.
How Successful Is Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy?
Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is a very conservative, minimally invasive procedure that has a success rate of 70% to 90%. In some cases, the pain that plantar fasciitis causes comes back, or some complications arise during surgery, making the procedure unsuccessful.
REFERENCES
- Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF). [Internet]. Saint Luke’s Health System. [Accessed on April 21, 2023]. Available from: https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/endoscopic-plantar-fasciotomy-epf
- Tendinopathy. [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. [Accessed on April 21, 2023]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22289-tendinopathy
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treating plantar fasciitis with ultrasonic energy. [Internet]. Mayo Clinic News Network. [Accessed on April 21, 2023]. Available from: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treating-plantar-fasciitis-with-ultrasonic-energy/
