Your doctor may end up recommending you wear the boot or cast for longer. Always wear it according to your surgeon’s postoperative directions.
Your surgeon will likely tell you to stay off your feet for everything but getting up to use the restroom and eat. You should also keep the foot and bandage completely dry to reduce the risk of infection.
Podiatrists and surgeons will typically prescribe custom orthotic shoe inserts before ever performing plantar fasciitis surgery. Return to using your orthotics as directed to provide the additional support as your foot heals.
If your job requires you to spend long hours on your feet, then you may have to take this time off work. You should arrange this with your employer before scheduling your plantar fasciitis surgery. When you do have to be on your feet, you may find relief from discomfort in icing and elevating your foot afterward. By placing a frozen water bottle on the floor and using your foot to roll across it, you can perform a good stretch on the area as well as icing it. [6] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). [7] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23.
Stretches include massaging your plantar fascia by using a small, hard object such as a golf ball to roll under your foot. [8] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). [9] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23. Another easy way to exercise the corresponding muscles and tendons is to flex your toes down and in to grasp a towel or even the carpet beneath your feet. [10] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). [11] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23.
Don’t be surprised if they suggest switching to lower impact exercises, such as swimming and cycling, for several months after your procedure.
Your surgeon will likely tell you to stay off your feet completely except for when eating or using the bathroom for the first week or two. You should also keep the foot and bandage completely dry to reduce the risk of infection.
Your doctor will have you switch to over-the-counter pain medication once your prescription runs out. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help manage pain. [13] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23.
These types of stretches include massaging your plantar fascia by using a small, hard object such as a golf ball to roll under your foot. [18] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). [19] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23. Another easy way to exercise the corresponding muscles and tendons is to flex your toes down and in to grasp a towel or even the carpet beneath your feet. [20] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). [21] X Research source Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, et al. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20–23.
They won’t stop you from exercising completely, but they will likely suggest low-impact routines such as swimming.
