Should you get a second opinion for plantar fasciitis surgery?
Plantar fasciitis resolves without surgery in 90% of patients within 12 months. Surgery should only be considered after 6-12 months of conservative treatment has failed. A second opinion is appropriate if surgery is being recommended before completing a full course of conservative care.
Red flags - consider a second opinion if you notice these
- Surgery was recommended before 6 months of conservative treatment
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection was not offered as a non-surgical option
- Night splints have not been tried
- Physical therapy targeting calf stretching and plantar fascia stretching was not completed
- Your foot biomechanics and footwear were not assessed
Questions to ask the second surgeon
- 1Have I truly exhausted conservative treatment, including physical therapy, orthotics, and PRP?
- 2What is the specific procedure you recommend: plantar fascia release, gastrocnemius recession, or both?
- 3Is there any evidence of a nerve entrapment that might explain why I am not improving?
- 4What are the risks of plantar fascia release, including arch collapse?
- 5What percentage of your surgical patients achieve complete resolution?
What to expect from a second opinion visit
Given that 90% of plantar fasciitis resolves without surgery, a second opinion often reveals that more conservative treatment options remain. Bring records of your treatment history, including what physical therapy was performed and for how long. A foot and ankle specialist or a sports medicine physician can evaluate whether the diagnosis is correct and whether further non-surgical options exist.
Common questions
What is the success rate of plantar fasciitis surgery?
Is PRP effective for plantar fasciitis?
Find a Foot & Ankle specialist for a second opinion
Search board-certified surgeons by specialty, location, and accepted insurance - free for patients.