Why Your Foot Might Still Hurt After Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

Plantar fasciitis surgery is a last resort for chronic heel pain that just won't go away. And the hope is that once the procedure is done, the pain will vanish for good. However, we at Goldsmith Podiatry want to warn you: for some people, their foot still hurts after surgery. While this may seem discouraging, it's not always a sign that the surgery failed. There are several reasons why lingering pain might occur, and we’re explaining them below.

The Reality of Recovery

First, a disclaimer: surgery is a significant trauma to your foot, and recovery takes time. Your foot has to heal from the incision, and the tissues and nerves that were affected during the procedure need to mend. That’s why it's perfectly normal to experience pain, swelling, and soreness for weeks or even months after a plantar fasciotomy.

It’s not that the surgery didn’t work. Stay patient, and don’t sound the alarm just yet, especially if your podiatrist is actively monitoring your healing journey.

But sometimes, things just don’t feel right even after the expected time period. What then?

…The Problem Wasn't Just the Plantar Fascia

Sometimes, the original diagnosis might not have captured the whole picture. Plantar fasciitis is a common source of heel pain, but it can often co-exist or be confused with other conditions.

We at Goldsmith do proper evaluations before deciding on surgery, but other podiatrists may fail to see the big picture and rush into it before getting the big picture of your foot.

For instance, a person might also have a small nerve entrapment or a stress fracture that was missed during the initial evaluation. If the surgery only addressed the plantar fascia, the pain from the other issue will naturally remain.

Compensation and Biomechanics

But that’s not all.

The years of pain from chronic plantar fasciitis likely changed the way you walk, specifically to avoid putting pressure on your heel. This could hurt other parts of your foot and make you feel “heel pain.”

So while the surgery fixed the fascia, it didn't fix the muscle imbalances or tendon strains that developed over years of limping.

This secondary pain might become more apparent once the post-surgical pain from the incision starts to subside. Physical therapy after surgery is designed to address these very issues and help you retrain your muscles.

Collapsed Arches and Flat Feet

Heel pain is complex, and plantar fasciitis is only one cause of it. Again, that’s why evaluation is so important. If you have a history of flat feet, this preexisting deformity might be worsening your fasciitis without you even knowing.

Your feet are more than just your foundation—they're messengers of your overall health. If you notice any of the symptoms above, don’t wait. Contact Goldsmith Podiatry today at (212) 877-1002 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, or Dr. Kristina T. Ruff. We're here to help you stay one step ahead of foot-related health problems—because healthy feet support a healthy you.