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Anyone had the Gastrocnemius Release procedure recently?

Posted , 10 users are following.

nish_500
nish_500

I have suffered PF for years, nothing at all has worked. My specialist, DR Solan has said the root problem is my calf tightness and nothing would really work until that is treated. He has recommended the calf release operation in both legs . I have never had an op in my life but am so desperate now! Going away in 6 weeks for a big holiday so want to be able to walk , right now chat be in my feet for more than an hour! If there's anyone out there who can tell me their experiences & recovery periods, Advantages / disadvantages would be so grateful. Thanks.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Tidgy
    Tidgy nish_500

    Posted

    I find a stretch board helps with tightness in my calf muscles. I keep it handy and just go stand on it regularly throughout the day,and first thing in the morning. My PF has not gone away but it's defiantly improving all the time. I'm also planning a big holiday this year and really hope I can enjoy it and see the sights without worrying what I'm going to put on my feet and taking different shoes in s bag. Xx
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland Tidgy

      Posted

      Hello.  Could you kknsky tell me what a stretch board is please.  Thanks 
  • john30536
    john30536 nish_500

    Posted

    OK - I have posted before but this got my attention. Do not do the surgery! If your calf muscles are tight, then get the foot rockers on Ebay or Amazon. they are inexpensive and do work. You can stretch the tendons and muscles with time and a little effort. Think about gumnasts and ballerinas. They certainly have some unique abilities but with work and stretching, they amplify those abilities. They don't have surgery to increase their flexibility. Having tendon release surgey is like rupturing your Achilles tendon and having a tendon repair. You will never be quite the same. You will have scar tissue which is not as good as what you are born with.

    There are occasional complications like infection - trust me nothing is 100% - I am a physician and this is anything but routine surgery.

    I had Plantar fasciitis about 4 months ago and could not walk. I did all I could to recover and I was able to walk and play golf in 4 weeks. I am not 100% and probably will never be 100% again. If I take a very long walk or engage in a vigorous activity, I will have pain in both heels but with some rest and NSAIDs I recover in 24 hours.

    GET THE FOOT ROCKERS immediately.

    hope this helps

    • nish_500
      nish_500 john30536

      Posted

      Thank u John, I have decided not to go for the op . I have received a lot of negative remarks and hence cannot afford to take the risk. So many people have recommended ART (active release therapy) I'm hoping to start this next week & hope it will help. Have you tried this ??

    • john30536
      john30536 nish_500

      Posted

      No but there is no single therapy which works for everyone. It is probably worth a try.

      but do all of the other things which are recommended on this site from people who have been successful

    • Patientholland
      Patientholland john30536

      Posted

      What are foot rockers please.  I have just only gone into orthotics with appropriate New Balance trainers and the consultant wants me to have physio to stretch the calf but has also intimated that, as a last ditch attempt to heal my Plantar Plate Tear, he could perform a surgical release.   Your thoughts. Thank you 

    • john30536
      john30536 Patientholland

      Posted

      go ahead and search foot rockers with your search engine

      They are plastic semi circle / half moon like objects that have rubber traction on each side to keep you from slipping and you simply rock your foot to help stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia.

  • christophe77444
    christophe77444 nish_500

    Posted

    Hi Nish,

    I fear you have left it rather late so I certaily would not recommend an operation on the tendons or legiments as the recovery time is very long, 6 months or more.

    Instead stretch the calfs with the exercises like staning against a wall and leaning against it slowly moving the foot further away so you feel the calves tighten and start to hurt. As you are sitting down keep raising the toes with the lega out straight untill you feel the calves hurting and hole for 10 secs then relax and start again, I am doing this as I type and it is what keeps my pf at bay but you have to keep it up else the pf returns if it is due to old age over 50 it just another problem we are stuch with but if you are young then it could be just damage so is best resred as much as possible and allowed to heal.

    I also have gel heel pads in all my shoes and even my slippers and do not go bare foot or wear fip flops. I also have PF insoles in my ski boots to take the wieght off the heel and spread it over the whole sole. Gel heel pads are no good in Ski boots because they allow to foot to move too much so the boot does not protect your ankle so much and you lose the control of the ski.

    Remember the gel heel pads are a must if you intend to walk any distance and trainers or walking boots are essential as they give more support.

  • ebh2403
    ebh2403 nish_500

    Posted

    Hi Nish,

    I agree with the others chiming in--try to avoid surgery, if at all possible!  Stretching is always good--for anyone and all--and certainly shoes with good support--again for all--are key.  

    In addition, I'd highly suggest finding a doctor who is familiar with EPAT (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology)--sometimes referred to as ESWT or Shockwave Therapy. It's clinically proven, non-invasive and there's no downtime. Treatment is usually 3-5 times once per week.

    Good luck!

  • donnab1979
    donnab1979 nish_500

    Posted

    So Nov. 17 I had surgery on my right leg. My doctor cut me under my foot and the inner part of my calf muscle. Same problem as you PF I was taking shots for 3yrs. Nothing worked and right now I can walk but still alot of pain.
  • sam26005
    sam26005 nish_500

    Posted

    Hi

    I've just been to the Drs and she suspects PF but reading your discussion I am not sure I have all your symptons.  I have a painful ankle especially if it is pointed downwards or if I tread too hard or jar it.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?

    • christophe77444
      christophe77444 sam26005

      Posted

      Hi Sam

      Your problem certainly does not sound like any form of pf I have heard of so I would get another doctors opinion and try and get an Xray as it sounds more like a fracture of one of the many bones in the foot.

      Pf is a very sharp pain just in front of the heel or just above the heel as though a nail is pressing in and you often have pain in the whole sole of the foot but that is not a stabbing pain like in the heel. You cannot bear to put any weight on the foot and the only way you can walk is to cushion the heel or have pf insoles in your shoes which should be trainers or walking boots. When you get up in the morning your calf muscles feel tight and it takes a few minutes before you can walk properly.

      Ice relives the pain ether by soaking in icy water or rolling the sole of the foot on a frozen drinks can.

      Stretching exercises and cushioning the heel are the normal solutions which you appear to be stuck with if you do not want a repeat of the problem.

      Are you sure you have not injured it recently as even a sprained ankle takes weeks to recover. 

    • sam26005
      sam26005

      Posted

      Many thanks for all your info. Very helpful
  • elizabeth1981
    elizabeth1981 nish_500

    Posted

    Hi. My son, 4 years old, is due for this operation soon.  He was born with Spina Bifida and club foot.  His right foot is nearly 100% corrected, but his left foot is struggling with drop-foot and tight calf muscle.  Reading the comments

    I'm now very wary of this operation.  Any suggestions please?

     

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