Post Endoscopic Cutting of the Plantar Fascia

Plantar fasciitis is a common and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterized by pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes—it can severely limit daily activities. While conservative treatments like physical therapy, orthotics, and steroid injections can alleviate symptoms for many patients, some individuals continue to experience chronic pain. For these cases, post endoscopic cutting of the plantar fascia offers a minimally invasive and highly effective surgical solution.  

Understanding Chronic Plantar Fasciitis  

The plantar fascia plays a critical role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock during movement. Chronic plantar fasciitis occurs when this tissue becomes persistently inflamed or thickened due to overuse, biomechanical issues, or insufficient healing. Over time, patients may develop a condition called plantar fasciosis, marked by degeneration of the fascia rather than inflammation.  

Symptoms typically include:  

- Intense heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged periods of inactivity.  

- Pain that worsens after activity or long periods of standing.  

- Stiffness or tenderness in the arch of the foot.  

When nonsurgical options fail to provide relief, surgical intervention may be necessary.  

What Is Endoscopic Cutting of the Plantar Fascia?  

Post endoscopic cutting of the plantar fascia, also known as endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to release tension on the plantar fascia and allow the tissue to heal properly. The procedure involves:  

1. Small Incisions: Two tiny incisions are made near the heel.  

2. Insertion of an Endoscope: A small camera, or endoscope, is inserted through one incision to provide a clear view of the plantar fascia.  

3. Precise Fascia Release: Through the other incision, a specialized instrument is used to carefully release a portion of the plantar fascia. This reduces tension and encourages proper healing.  

The minimally invasive nature of this procedure minimizes tissue disruption and promotes faster recovery compared to traditional open surgeries.  

Benefits of Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy  

- Shorter Recovery Time: Patients typically experience a quicker return to normal activities due to the minimally invasive approach.  

- Reduced Pain and Scarring: Smaller incisions mean less postoperative pain and minimal scarring.  

- High Success Rates: Studies show significant improvement in pain and functionality for the majority of patients undergoing this procedure.  

- Lower Risk of Complications: Compared to open surgery, endoscopic techniques carry a reduced risk of infection and other complications.  

Who Is a Candidate for This Procedure?  

Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is typically recommended for patients who:  

- Have suffered from chronic plantar fasciitis for six months or longer.  

- Have not responded to conservative treatments such as stretching, physical therapy, and injections.  

- Experience significant pain that interferes with daily activities and quality of life.  

What to Expect After Surgery  

Following the procedure, patients can expect:  

- Immediate Pain Relief: Many patients report a noticeable reduction in pain shortly after surgery.  

- Postoperative Care: The use of supportive footwear or orthotics and adherence to a rehabilitation plan can help optimize recovery.  

- Gradual Return to Activity: Most patients can resume light activities within a few weeks, with a full return to normal activities in approximately six to eight weeks.  

Partner with a Specialist You Can Trust  

At Family Foot & Leg Center, we specialize in advanced, minimally invasive treatments for foot and ankle conditions, including endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. Dr. Kevin Lam’s expertise ensures that patients receive personalized care tailored to their unique needs, enabling them to regain mobility and enjoy a pain-free life.  

If chronic plantar fasciitis is holding you back, schedule a consultation today to explore whether post endoscopic cutting of the plantar fascia is the right solution for you.  

Secret of Heel pain, plantar fasciitis | Florida Podiatrist #toppodiatrist

 

Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and the Benefits of Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release

Plantar fasciitis is a common yet painful condition that affects many people, causing sharp pain in the heel and the bottom of the foot. If you're suffering from this condition, you've likely tried various treatments, from stretching exercises to orthotics, with mixed results. However, for those who continue to experience debilitating pain, there is a minimally invasive surgical option that could offer immediate relief: Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release.

What is Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release?

Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release is a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve the tension in the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it leads to plantar fasciitis, causing significant pain and discomfort, especially with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged periods of standing.

This procedure involves making a small incision in the foot through which an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) is inserted. The surgeon uses this endoscope to view the plantar fascia and make precise cuts to release the tension. Unlike traditional open surgery, the endoscopic approach offers several benefits, including smaller incisions, reduced scarring, and faster recovery times.

Real-Time Insight from Dr. Kevin Lam

In this video, Dr. Kevin Lam of Family Foot and Leg Center in Naples, FL, provides a look at plantar fasciitis and demonstrates the Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release procedure. Dr. Lam, along with the skilled team at FFLC, is highly experienced in performing this and other advanced procedures to alleviate heel pain and other foot-related issues.

The video showcases the technique in real-time, giving viewers an inside look at how this straightforward and reliable procedure is performed. It's not just an educational resource—it’s a testament to the expertise and precision required to ensure successful outcomes.

Why Choose Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release?

For patients who have tried conservative treatments without success, Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release offers an effective alternative. When handled by a skilled surgeon like those at FFLC, relief is often immediate, allowing patients to return to their daily activities much sooner than with traditional surgery.

If you're struggling with heel pain or other foot-related issues, the team at FFLC is here to help. For more information about Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release or to schedule a consultation, contact Family Foot and Leg Center at 239-430-3668. Don't let heel pain hold you back—discover the relief you deserve with the experts at FFLC.

Common Pickleball Injuries That Require a Podiatrist's Attention

Pickleball has gained immense popularity in recent years as a fun and accessible sport for people of all ages. However, like any physical activity, pickleball carries the risk of injury. While some injuries may be minor and self-treatable, others may require professional medical intervention. In this blog post, we will explore some common pickleball injuries that may necessitate a visit to a podiatrist.

 

1. Ankle Sprains:

Ankle sprains are among the most prevalent injuries in pickleball. The quick lateral movements and changes in direction can put significant stress on the ankle joint, leading to sprains. Podiatrists are well-equipped to diagnose and treat ankle sprains, providing options such as immobilization, physical therapy, and specialized footwear recommendations.

2. Plantar Fasciitis:

Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and pain in the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. The repetitive jumping and pivoting motions in pickleball can strain the plantar fascia, causing micro-tears and inflammation. Podiatrists can offer various treatment modalities, including orthotics, stretching exercises, night splints, and recommendations for appropriate footwear.

3. Achilles Tendinitis:

Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. The explosive movements and sudden stops involved in pickleball can put excessive strain on this tendon, leading to pain and swelling. Podiatrists can provide treatment options such as physical therapy, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and recommendations for modifying gameplay techniques to alleviate symptoms and promote healing.

4. Stress Fractures:

Pickleball involves repetitive jumping and rapid changes in direction, which can contribute to the development of stress fractures in the feet. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by overuse and excessive repetitive impact. A podiatrist can diagnose stress fractures through imaging techniques and may recommend rest, immobilization, and gradual return to activity protocols to allow for proper healing.

5. Blisters and Calluses:

Pickleball players often experience blisters and calluses due to the repetitive rubbing and friction caused by quick lateral movements and abrupt stops. While blisters and calluses can be managed at home, a podiatrist can provide professional care, including blister drainage, callus removal, and recommendations for preventive measures and footwear modifications to reduce recurrence.

While pickleball is generally a low-impact sport, injuries can still occur. It is essential to listen to your body and seek medical attention if you experience persistent pain, swelling, or any other concerning symptoms. Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle injuries, and they can provide a tailored treatment plan to help you recover and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to prioritize proper warm-up, wear appropriate footwear, and practice good technique to reduce the risk of injuries while playing pickleball.

Secret of Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome what you need to know now

 

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This inflammation often leads to intense heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.

Several factors can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis, including overuse or repetitive strain on the feet, improper footwear, high arches, flat feet, obesity, and tight calf muscles. Athletes, runners, and individuals who spend prolonged periods on their feet are particularly susceptible to this condition.

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can vary in intensity, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Without proper treatment, the condition can worsen over time, impacting mobility and quality of life

If you're experiencing persistent heel pain or suspect you may have plantar fasciitis, it's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Don't let plantar fasciitis hold you back – with the right approach, you can find relief and get back to enjoying life to the fullest. The Family Foot & Leg Center (FFLC) prides itself on its network of cutting-edge clinics strategically positioned throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties, ensuring accessible expert foot and ankle care across Florida. Our goal is to swiftly and effectively address your foot and ankle challenges, enabling you to resume your active lifestyle promptly. Equipped with advanced treatment modalities and staffed by a team of devoted specialists, FFLC is dedicated to delivering top-notch care conveniently situated in your local community.

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Hey guys, Dr. Lam. We are here to talk about plantar fasciitis and surgery for plantar fasciitis. Yes, surgery. You know, a small amount of patients will benefit from surgery. Most -- majority of patients, I will say 85 - 90 percent of our patients do well with conservative care. What is conservative care? Well, you have natural anti-inflammatories, you have stretching techniques, physical therapy is really big, inserts, injections, etcetera, there's also shockwave therapy but let's say all those things fail or you know, you can't afford to pay for shockwave therapy because it is not covered by by insurance but what we have that's a great alternative to that is endoscopic plantar fascial release. I'm gonna show you a little video of that later on of an actual case and I'll talk through it. It's a very short video following this explanation. So you have an idea. This is plantar fasciitis on the bottom of the foot, that's your heel. As you can see, it's nicely marked. So what we're gonna see later in the video, there's a camera going in through one side right about here and it's looking up, it's looking right up at this just as you're looking up but that's what you'd be seeing on the -- there you go, going into zoom so that's what you'd be seeing later on, you'll just be seeing this tissue, this band of tissue and then what you'll also see later on, a blade going in from this side just cutting this right about there, that's what you'll be seeing on the video and why is that important? What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this rubber band down on the bottom of the foot It actually looks like a rubber band when we go into surgery so that's how I explain to my patients. So why does this cause a problem? Well number one is it's almost like a pinnacle  where your heel strike, number one. Number two, this tissue right here it could be -- you can have little micro tears or macro tears you can have a little tearing of this tissue as you step down wrong or you stepped out on an object, some Legos, anything. Poor choice of shoewear where it's not padded enough and you're getting a lot of injury -- repetitive injury to this, you're not letting it heal. Another theory is you can have some inflammation on the bone inside or what we call venous congestion in there, that's another theory behind that that's why we see a lot of inflammation on an MRI inside the bone or on the plantar fascia or both So obviously, typically we try to do the conservative thing first and if that doesn't work then we move on to more aggressive surgical care. So we're gonna go on to the video of the endoscopic plantar fasciectomy. I'm gonna go ahead and try to talk through it. It's really not much, again, it's a very short video so again you'll see me -- actually the camera is actually inserted on this side on the outside of the foot, 5th metatarsal side the cameras gonna be coming in this way while I cut this side that's what you're gonna see initially I would go in through this side right here to view everything but and then when we come to cutting I reverse the camera, I come in here, the camera's there to look, this is the camera now to look as I take the surgical blade now this is a surgical blade, let's see if I can get another pen here so as not to confuse anyone, this is a surgical blade, again the camera's looking and a surgical blade is right here and you cut, pull back and cut and that is what you're gonna see on the video, any questions let us know. This is a quick procedure, it's about 30 minutes or less from going into the operating room to them prepping, us giving a little anesthesia, to putting in the last stitch which is only about two so go on from there, any comments, concerns let me know. Hopefully this will explain one of our common procedures called endoscopic plantar fasciectomy for chronic plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. Hey guys, this is Dr. Lam. We are going live on the video this is an actual EPF procedure -- endoscopic plantar fasciectomy this is again the camera going in from the outside of the foot, fifth metatarsal side looking at the medial side of the foot as you can see that is a nice curved blade this is all through a couple millimeters incision actually as you can see the fat is underneath on this down side right here and then the blade is cutting the plantar fascia which is this white tissue  right here you see the red underneath that is the muscle belly of the flexor tendon down there so a flexor muscle belly, so we cut until all the white portion is cut which is the plantar fascia we're only cutting a certain amount that is pre measured and you can see I'm moving around the probe just to -- this is just feeling make sure I have every fiber cut as you can see this is a thick fiber right here, this white is the plantar fascia, again the red is the muscle belly underneath there. In chronically inflamed plantar fasciitis you would see that thickened tissue requires a couple passes with that blade again it's all done endoscopically, the incisions are really small we're seeing on the screen as you see right here looks like it's getting a little blurry from the fog so that's it.