Calcaneal spur reduction is a key in ofheel spursurgery.
Heel spur surgery is done when conservative therapies fail to provide relief.
This article will discuss the reasons for heel spur surgery and describe the two different types of procedures.
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The size or shape of a spur has nothing to do with the incidence or severity of symptoms.
It’s when they don’t that surgery can play a role in treatment.
(Plantar fasciitisis a common cause.)
Open surgery is better able to remove the entire spur.
It is not uncommon for spurs to also develop in the tendon itself.
Who Shouldn’t Get Heel Spur Surgery?
There are few absolute contraindications to heel spur surgery.
These relative contraindications need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
One absolute contraindication for heel spur surgery is the absence of symptoms.
Doing so not only exposes the individual to unneeded surgery but may cause serious and potentially permanent injury.
Pre-Operative Evaluation
Heel spurs are most easily detected onX-raywhile standing.
Consulting with an experiencedpodiatric surgeonorfoot and ankle orthopedistis essential to getting a correct diagnosis.
Either one of these specialists can perform the surgery if needed.
You will also discuss pre-operative and post-operative procedures you better follow to better ensure the intended result.
The surgical approach used will be determined by the underlying cause and location of a spur.
Do not hesitate to ask the surgeon why a particular surgery was chosen.
Keep an open mind and seek a second opinion if needed.
How much does heel spur surgery cost?
Costs will vary depending on where you go for treatment and your exact needs.
To estimate general costs for heel spur surgery, you could use theProcedure Price Lookuptool from Medicare.gov.
However, you should review actual costs with your insurance company and your provider.
Location
Heel spur surgery is performed in the operating room of a hospital or specialty surgical center.
Specialized surgical equipment that can enter the foot through tiny incisions will also be there.
Leave any valuables at home, including jewelry and watches.
Food and Drink
You will be advised to stop eating at midnight the night before your procedure.
Within four hours of surgery, you should not consume any food or liquid.
The same goes for herbs and supplements.
(Be sure to call the office beforehand to confirm that they accept your insurance and arein-internet providers.)
You will then be led to the back to change into a hospital gown.
During the Surgery
Once you are prepped, you are wheeled into the operating room.
This can take anywhere from 10 minutes for local anesthesia with IV sedation to 45 minutes for general anesthesia.
Food and drink are usually provided when you are fully awake.
It is not uncommon to experience pain and discomfort around the surgical site.
You will be given the appropriate painkiller and a nurse will administeranti-nausea medicationif youfeel ill from the anesthesia.
Do not bathe or shower for the first day.
Do not apply the ice directly to the skin.
Stay off your feet as much as possible for the first few days after surgery.
Use whatever is provided, even if you feel confident without it.
Until the wound is amply healed and the stitches removed, you will need to keep the foot dry.
This applies whether you are icing the area or washing yourself.
The wound dressing should be changed daily with sterile gauze and an alcohol-free topical antiseptic.
Check daily for any abnormal changes in the wound or skin.
An X-ray may also be ordered, especially if other procedures were performed along with heel spur removal.
If needed, you may be referred to aphysical therapist.
Most people with office-based jobs can return to work in two weeks with a walking boot or crutches.
With persistence and adherence to your rehabilitation plan, you will improve.
Support from family and friends can help this process tremendously.
During follow-up appointments, your healthcare provider will want to check for improvements in your symptoms.
Not everyone who undergoes heel spur surgery experiences the complete resolution of symptoms, but many do.
Be patient with your body as it heals.
In some cases, revision surgery may be needed.
At other times, further investigations may be needed to explore other possible explanations for your symptoms.
Surgery can be done one of two ways, depending on the location of the spur.
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis.
Physical therapy may be needed to regain function of the muscles around the surgical site.
It may take several weeks to a few months to recover completely from the surgery.
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