Still in pain after Plantar Fasciitis Surgery............

by Dia
(Natchez, MS, USA)

I had been experiencing foot problems for years and was diagnosed with plantar fascitis.


I had surgery in September 2009 which gave no relief at all, I also went to physical therapy for 10 weeks after the first surgery.

After an MRI I was told that it had grown back and that keloid scar tissue had also formed and that a repeat surgery was necessary.

In March 2010 I had a repeat surgery and radiology treatments for the scar tissue not to form again.

Well it is the middle of June 2010 and am in more pain that ever. The Dr. said he does not know what to do and is sending me to another Dr. to see if he can do anything.

I am still in severe pain, I am starting to suffer from depression, I am (was)an active person but now I find everything I do I base on how bad my feet are going to hurt, some days I can't even walk without a cane.

If I had to do this all over I would never have had this surgery and just put up with the pain I had.



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Joshua Answers:

Hi Dia.

Ouch.

As you have discovered, Plantar Fasciitis and Tendonitis can be debilitating, and surgery isn't necessarily the answer.

See: What Is Tendonitis?


Do this: Read the Process of Inflammation page, and then Ice Dip as described on the How To Reduce Inflammation page.

Do that for 10 days, maybe increasing the number of dips (the more the merrier), and let me know what happens.





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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com
















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Comments for Still in pain after Plantar Fasciitis Surgery............

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Sep 17, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Very painful
by: Susannia

My foot starting hurting in Feb 2017 went and seen a doctor for it said I had plantar fasciitis gave me shots every 2 weeks with a inflammatory med.

Nothing seem to work so decided on June 16 to go ahead and do the surgery..when stitches were out a wound was closed 1 week later the other side of the same foot starting killing me and ankle was swelling not they say it's another tendon more shots and braces nothing working..never had problems with that side of the foot until the surgery..could it be cause from that surgery.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Susannia.

I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that question, but I'll share my opinion anyway.

Yes it could be and almost certainly is a result of the surgery (combined with what you already had going on).
Aug 17, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Was it plantar fasciitis to start with?
by: Melanie

After a year of ineffective conservative treatment, (therapy, cortisone shots, expensive shoes, etc.), I couldn't stand the pain any longer and asked my doctor to move forward with the plantar fasciitis release surgery.

My pain got worse, and was no longer just in the heel but also middle of the foot.

My doctor said "Oh! You have tarsal tunnel syndrome!" More shots with no relief.

So here's my question - did the surgery cause the second condition, was I originally misdiagnosed, or are they unrelated?

I have been unable to work for a year now, walking with a cane, fighting with social security and I'm soooo tired of this pain.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Melanie.

I have no idea or way to tell if you were misdiagnosed, or if 'the surgery caused more foot problems' (although that would be entirely unsurprising for a variety of reasons).

But all the factors that caused your pain were ignored (and likely made worse) by the surgery, so the change in pain/pain location and ongoing pain/problem is unfortunate but unsurprising.

All the other treatments didn't work for a reason: they weren't targeting the right factors or locations.

Surgery in that scenario is a last ditch measure often made in desperation (desperate to get out of pain).

Probably you can still recover a large percentage...the real question at this point is how much actual damage did the surgery do.
Jun 22, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain after Plantar Fasciitis Surgery
by: Heather

I too have continued pain after surgery in 12/16. I actually think my feet are worse now. From personal experience I wouldn't recommend this surgery to anyone.

If I sit for a period of more then 20 minutes it's like starting all over again with the pain. I have to walk very slowly where it seems as if the nerves play a game to get used to me walking again, which is very painful.

A lot of scar tissue is obvious from looking at the incision.

Numerous visits back to the Dr. and her only solution to continue cortisone injections to mask the pain.

I have attempted physical therapy during the last few months and their solution was tape my feet everyday to correct me to walk correctly on my feet. I did follow after surgery protocol. I had both feet done at the same time so I was in a wheel chair the first week.

I am highly active person & often work 16 hour shifts.

If anyone else has anything they did to help please let me know.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Heather.

1. "I actually think my feet are worse now."

They almost certainly are worse now, as the surgeon severed (partially or completely) major structural supports in your feet.

And now you have MORE inflammation than you had before, MORE tightness of the muscles and connective tissue in the lower legs and feet, and MORE nutritional insufficiency (meaning, less available nutrition).


2. "Numerous visits back to the Dr....

I have attempted physical therapy...."

Yes...that sucks. And unfortunately is the norm.


3. My best recommendation for you is to get and start working with The Plantar Fasciitis Treatment That Works program.

You 'needed' surgery in the first place because your ecology of the lower leg and foot, your structures in the lower let and foot, were not functioning very well, resulting in pain etc.

Your doctors and surgeon ignored all that and for some reason thought that severing major structural supports in your weight bearing structures was a good idea.

Your best bet now is to restore function to the mechanical structures of your lower leg and feed (by loosening too tight muscle and connective tissue, dialing down the chronic inflammation process, and repleting the nutrition you're short on so the muscles and inflammation process can function better/properly.
Jun 19, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2nd surgery request
by: Scott

Okay reference our conversation about pain in my foot after planer facilities surgery here is the name of the next surgery he wants to do. Gastrocnemius Recession. Can you lend me advise about this. Thank you.


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Joshua comments:

I think it's a terrible idea.

Why exactly will it help? What exactly will it do that will help?

What is the actual problem he wants to do that surgery for that he thinks it's going to fix?

I think it's a terrible idea because your surgeon doesn't have answers for those questions. He's going to damage your structure and hope for the best, just like he did last time.
Jun 15, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Planter fasciitis surgery
by: Scott

I had planter fasciitis surgery July 15, 2016 I went through the process of healing I'm staying off the foot but my pain is more in the middle of my foot now then in the heel where it was pre surgery.

I had about three months of physical therapy which helped but I still have pain from the start of my inside heel to up near the toes.

The doctor now wants to have a surgery cutting into the back of my calf to relieve pressure that will heal the pain with the middle of my foot. You heard of this? Thank you.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Scott.

Yes, I've heard of that (and all sorts of 'hey, let's cut into something else since what we cut the first time didn't make everything better and possibly made it worse').


How is cutting into the back of the calf going to relieve pressure on....on what exactly?
Mar 20, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Ruined by Plantar Fasciitis Surgery
by: Rosie

I've been having a left foot problem since March 2015. When I started working at a job that required me to be on my feet on horrible concrete floors for more than 7 hrs at a time.

It was only in January 2016 that I was finally able to see a doctor for it. The doc never took x-rays but stated just by looking at it that it was Plantar Fasciitis.

Well I began treatment in Jan 2016: cortisone injections (which hurt like heck), shoe inserts, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and on and on. Not of it helped. In July 2016 the podiatrist suggested surgery since I was not progressing with the current treatment.

I had surgery July 2016 and the doctor said recovery time could be anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Here we are in March 2017 and the pain is worse.

The pain is excruciating. I cannot stand for more than half an hour to hour at a time without being in severe pain. The last time I saw him was October 2016 when he recommended a 2nd surgery because he said, "it could be some scar tissue or trapped nerve", I don't know about you guys but I am not letting him cut me again on the basis of "it could be's".

So here I am in March and it has not gotten any better. The pain as I stated is worse and I don't know what to do. I can't just stop working. I don't have that luxury. If anyone can give me some advice I would surely appreciate it.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Rosie.

1. What exactly did they do in the surgery?


2. If you can tell, is it 'nerve' pain or is it soft tissue pain?


3. "I am not letting him cut me again on the basis of "it could be's". "

I'm with you on that!
Mar 20, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		DON'T DO ANY FOOT SURGERY!
by: Dia Biglane

I have had two plantar fasciitis surgeries and one Baxter nerve release. The pain has not subsided since the surgeries.

I'm in constant pain (I'm a bartender) at work and home. I have done pain management which the doctors make me feel like I'm just trying to obtain drugs.

This has been going on for years now. The doctors say I should just go on disability, I am not disabled just in pain.

Think long and hard before having any surgeries done to your feet. I wish I had never done them, they do nothing but make your life more miserable than it was before.

Sincerely,

Dia B
Feb 19, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Plantar fasciitis or Baxter's neuropathy?
by: Fiona

Over the last 4 years I have had plantar fascia release surgery on both feet.

Both surgeries were successful, however the pain in my right heel has continued and often gets so painful that I can't put weight on my foot at all.

I also have severe Sacroiliac and lumbar joint disfunction and have had three cortisone shots in my low back.

Each time I get shots in my back, I have several weeks of total pain relief in my right heel.

Recently I had nerve ablation in my SI joint and L4,5 I have been heel pain free for a month.

Recently it was suggested that my foot pain was likely Baxters Neuropathy and not Plantar Fasciatis. So is it possible that the nerve ablation in my back fix the problem in my foot?


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Fiona.

Well, what we know is that corticosteroid injections in your back results in a pain-free heel.

Nerve ablation is destruction of nerve tissue. That's not going to fix anything, though it may result in a reduction in heel pain if they are correct about the targeting.

The question I would want answered is 'Why exactly does a corticosteroid injection in my back get rid of all the pain in my heel?'

What exactly is changing/being changed such that the pain signal stops being produced?
Feb 17, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Planar Fasciitis surgery/ don't have it
by: Denise

I had surgery in Sept 2016.

As far as the heel pain its gone but the scar is thick and it hurts feels like it tearing on the inside.

Can't walk on it for long periods of time sharp pain has started to come from the incision up my leg into my calf and thigh it hurts like heck.

Been back to dr with little or no help at all.

After surgery my foot was numb and stiff he said it would go away some has but now both my legs are hurting they don't know what to do and neither do I.

I'm looking at a dr in AZ to see if they can help.
Sep 12, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain Months later after plantar fascia release
by: Scottie K.

I had a plantar fascia release in April and have experienced more pain the past 2 months than I did before surgery what could be the issue?

The doc wants me to return to work but due to the pain and having to stand and walk all night I can't.

Any in put on what my problem could be now?


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Scottie.

The issue, unfortunately, is that surgery isn't a magic bullet, nor a guaranteed fix, nor without any possible downsides, despite what your doctor tells you.

You had a problem, made up of a set of factors, that was causing pain in your foot/feet.

Your doctor thought that cutting into your foot and severing a major structural support in your foot was a solution.

Now you still have all the factors in play only worse, and you have a major structural support in your foot destroyed, and your body has to adapt to that and hopefully recover from that.


Sorry if that was on the blunt side of blunt.

Just as blunt: You need to fix the factors that were in play before surgery (and still are only worse). And you need to help your body heal from and adapt to the altered foot structure/lack of integrity.

I suggest 'The Plantar Fasciitis Treatment That Works' program.

It's full of lots of things your doctor should have told you (about why you hurt, and about how to recover best from surgery) but didn't.


See Related: I Still Have Foot Pain 2 Years After My Plantar Fasciotomy
Apr 02, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I had Plantar Fasciitis Surgery 3 weeks ago........Still in pain
by: Debbie

I had plantar fasciitis surgery on March 13th, which was almost 3 weeks ago. I had foot problems for about 2 1/2 years and finally went to the doctor.

I have had the shots, done the taping technique, icing, and whatever the doctors told me to try. My doctor finally decided to go ahead with the surgery, so we did.

I was asleep during the surgery, so of course, I had no pain. The pain was actually minimal when I got home as well. I was told to walk only using the black boot that I got, but to rest in bed for 1 week, which I did as best as I could.

I was relieved to see the pain was gone! I am now in the 3rd week of recovering. The doctor took out my stitches last week and said everything looked good. Well, this past Saturday, it started hurting again, out of nowhere. The pain is almost unbearable. Where in the hell is all this pain coming from?

I can honestly say that the pain is worse than what it was BEFORE I had he surgery. I don't understand at all why it's doing this. I don't feel like I have done anything wrong.....All I do know, is that at this point, I an only walk for about 15 minutes before the terrible pain kicks in.......

Debbie in North Carolina


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Debbie.

It's probably doing that because you had surgery that severed very important structural supports in your foot.

And you were off your foot for a week, and now you've been increasingly on your feet, and thus putting more load/force on a mobile structure that is all of a sudden working differently.

So your body is responding.

What have you been doing for self care since the pain kicked in?
Dec 05, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What to do about foot pain after plantar fasciitis surgery and bone spur removal?
by: Mary

My name is Mary and I had a plantar fasciitis release and a bone spur where they cut my tendon then cut the bone spur off this was done nearly a month ago on the 12th. My foot hurt so bad like it was yesterday.

I sometimes wish that I wouldn't had the surgery either because I can't hardly walk on it. The doctor gave me a boot I never could walk in them so I understand what you are going through.

I want to know will I ever heal, I'm hurting so right now I'm headed to the ER. the left foot that I had the surgery on it's black & blue and I have diabetes 2 so I'm a little worried.

I don't know what to do?


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Mary.

How'd it go at the ER?

I'm sure they gave you painkillers, but what did they say about the black and blue and diabetes?
Apr 21, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain is worse 10 days after plantar fasciitis surgery nightmare
by: Helen

I had Plantar Fasciitis surgery 10 days ago. The first few days I was fine and could even walk without assistance.

After day 4 the pain started slightly again. Day 5 becoming worst and making me so anxious. Now day 10 and I can barely walk and pain is horrible at heel bone, arch and inter heel.

The pain is worst than prior to surgery. I was at a level 8 of pain for weeks prior and I am now a very strong 10.

I can't get confortable and my foot feels like it is burning.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Helen.

Sorry to hear that. Surgery is tough...it's a wound, and depending on what they did in there, a bad wound.

The body was already happy and had a lot of inflammation going on.

You were already short of Magnesium, and magnesium is required for the body to literally deal with stress. Surgery and injury is a stressor.

See: Magnesium For Tendonitis


What did you do for self care post-plantar fasciitis surgery?



RELATED: Heel Pain Is Worse After Having Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

RELATED: Ice Dipping Plantar Fasciitis For 6 Days Still Some Shooting Pain In The Right Foot
Aug 10, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Both Feet Collapsing Due To Surgeries
by: Terry in Southport

Both of my feet are collapsing due to heel spur surgery. The last ortho doctor told me there was nothing left to do other than some experimental, expensive treatments that insurance won't cover.

Now I wake up in the morning and reach for the pain medication. I rest a while longer while it begins to work so I can get on my feet to take a shower. I am in constant pain from my feet and now my back. It rules my life and decisions about my life.

I am 56 and I feel like I will soon be crippled from this. I was told the operations would stop my pain from heel spurs, but I wasn't told it would be a temporary fix and my feet could collapse and cripple me.

My ortho guy said the Podiatrists who operated on my feet should have never done what they did and they were not trained properly to treat these problems. Think long and hard before you have this surgery.

There's no going back and for me there's not much going forward!


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Joshua Comments:

In the majority of cases, I do not believe that there's 'no going forward'. Having said that, depending on what structural damage the surgery did or didn't do...

1. Where were the bone spurs?

2. What exactly did the surgery do?

3. What have you been doing for self care other than pain killers, pre and post surgery?
Apr 24, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Do not do plantar fasciitis surgery!!!!!!
by: Dia Biglane

After having sugery fot plantar fasciitis twice and surgery on my Baxter nerve, I am still in constant pain. I now visit the pain management Doctor for relief of this chronic pain.
Never let a doctor come near your feet wth any surgical instrument.
Now not only am I dealing with chronic foot pain but I am addicted to pain medication.
Doctors do not always no know what they are doing!
Apr 13, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Still in pain after surgery
by: Shelle

I was having plantar pain in Oct & Dec. 2011. Received 2 injections of cortizone. I got the last injection 2 days before leaving on vacation. While on vacation the tendon tore from the injection. They did the surgery to release the tendion in Feb. 2012. Since the surgery, I have been in so much pain that I can't stand it.

I constantly feels like someone is hitting me with a cattle prod. Where they ran the probe thru the bottom of the foot, it feels like I am standing on a rope all the time. My foot and ankle swells so bad that I can't get my shoe on and have been in a boot since Dec.

Doctor is suggesting surgery on the nerve in my ankle, but don't know what to do. It is hard to function daily with the amount of pain I am in. Looking for answers.


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Joshua Comments:

So the same surgeon that didn't fix the foot/feet with surgery the first time now wants to sever the nerve to the foot?

That sounds like a bad idea to me...

Cutting the pillars and cable supports of a bridge ALWAYS sounds like a bad idea to me. But it's what surgeons are trained to believe is the best idea in the world.

The fact of the matter is, your foot's been all jacked up. Surgery causes injury. Severing tendons drastically reduces the structural integrity of the foot, not to mention now there's a muscle that's not connected to anything anymore.

Plus a chronic acute Process of Inflammation, all the factors that caused the pain and problem in the first place, etc.

What are you doing for self care to try to make things better?
Apr 12, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My Plantar Fasciitis is back 2 years after surgery
by: ysanchez

Hi I'm 46 yrs old and had foot pain many yrs ago for 2 yrs had cortisone shots to relieve pain at first they help the nothing thought I would go crazy with pain so my doctor schedules me for surgery no problem was told I would be back on my feet in 5 weeks but it lasted 2 yrs then finally was pain free now 12 yrs later its back.

I think I'm going to go crazy I'm in so much pain right now especially because I'm recovering from a lisfranc fracture from same foot well that's all for now .
May 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Baxter Nerve Surgery /WORST
by: Dia Biglane

Well I had the surgery for decompression of the Baxter's nerve one year ago March. I also had radiation therapy for six weeks to stop the scar tissue from growing, the surgery made my right foot worse. The Doctors told me I am disabled and should try to collect disability payments.........I feel like I was thrown to the sharks. I am 50 and thses surgeries have changed my life forever, constant pain, pain management, can not do anything unless I think how it will effect my feet first. They say I had the best Doctor and it must just be my bodies reaction to these five surgeries. My advise DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU SURGERY FOR YOUR FEET WILL MAKE IT BETTER. IT WILL NOT.

In pain for life,
Dia Biglane
May 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Failed Plantar Fasciitis and 10 years later back problems
by: Kathleen

Hi,
I had both feet done for Plantar Fasciitis ten years ago. It did not work for me at all. Is it possible too much was cut because 10 years later there is bone protruding from the inside of my left foot?

I am not able to walk long distances. I have also had considerable back pain and have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Is it possible the way I walk because of all this has contributed to my back pain? It has gotten progressively worse.

Do the therapy first is my advice, and keep at it.

I am only in my 50's and I used to be a very active, but because of this surgery it has changed my life.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Kathleen.

Yes, both are possible.

1. Your foot is a complex structure designed to absorb load. When the plantar fascia is cut, it's basically like cutting some supports, or even pillars out from under a bridge.

You can imagine how the bridge might fall/collapse/reshape itself, i.e. the bone not being held in place.

2. If your feet can't absorb load, that load still has to transfer somewhere. To places like your knee and back. Thus back problems.
Aug 31, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Third surgery for Plantar Fasciitis.....:)
by: Dia Biglane

Well I did the surgery to decompress the nerve on my left foot, no weight bearing for 4 weeks maybe 6. So far I really don't know the out come of this surgery. The last couple of days I have been putting a little pressure just to see how it feels, it does not feel like I was expecting.

I will keep you updated, as you are the one that seems to be the most honest concerning my situation.

Thank you.....


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Dia.

Do keep me posted.

And if you aren't ice dipping as frequently as possible (10 seconds/dip), I highly suggest that you start.
Jul 26, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What do you think?
by: Dia

Thank you for the information that you have provided it has been very helpful.

I have another question for you. As you know I have had 2 separate plantar fasiotomy surgeries, my surgeon now has sent me for a second opinion with another surgeon.

The second surgeon suggested I have another plantar fasiotomy and neurolysis of the Baxter's nerve. My family physician and my orthopedic Dr. say no to the plantar surgery but say the neurolysis of the Baxter's nerve might be the problem. What are the benefits of this surgery?

What is the success rate of this surgery?

Could this surgery screw me up for life, I am pretty much screwed already with all this pain.

I am scheduled for the Baxter's nerve surgery on August 5. I am scared to the point of total stress and panic attacks. I need some input.


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Joshua Comments:

Well Dia, I'm the wrong guy to talk to for positive feedback about Plantar Fasciitis Surgery.

I'm heavily biased against it.

Here's a paragraph from myfootshop dot com.

"Surgical release of the nerve, called external neurolysis, is the preferred method of care. The procedure is completed in a surgery center or hospital setting. External neurolysis of Baxter's nerve may be performed with a local anesthetic and sedation or with a general anesthetic.

The goal of neurolysis is to identify the physical irritation or the nerve, release those strictures and allow the nerve to return to normal function. Recovery varies but typical neurolysis cases do require a period of non-weight bearing on crutches."

I can't even see what body part is in the picture, but imagine that they're cutting into your heel like that, and 'exploring' to try to find what is affecting the nerve.

Look how much damage they are causing. RIGHT NEXT TO A NERVE.

Personally, I wouldn't let anybody that close to a nerve unless my life depended on it. Because they're using very sharp objects. Sever or nick that nerve (which is thickly bound in connective tissue that they have to cut through to find/identify the nerve) and you're in a world of problem forever.

The first surgeries didn't work. I'm not a big fan of the thought process that leads to "Well, let's try another surgery then. We'll definitely get it this time!" *fingers crossed hopefully*

Your doctors are saying the nerve in the heel MIGHT be the problem. MAYBE isn't a good enough reason in my book to cut into the body, cause the formation of a lot more scar tissue around the nerve etc, and threaten the nerve with razor sharp objects.

What is the success rate of the surgery? I don't know. And, surgeons and I have different definitions of 'success'.

Could it screw you up for life? It could. The chances of that depends on the surgeon and other variables.

Have you ice dipped your feet?

The ice dip is low tech, but it lowers pain levels, period.

Let me know.

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