Heel Spur Surgery and Medical Malpractice

What are my legal rights if I continue to experience pain after heel spur surgery?

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits that cause a bony protrusion beneath the heel bone.  Heel spurs can develop over time and potentially become quite painful.  Often, the condition leads to plantar fasciitis, which involves inflammation of the connective tissue connecting the heel bone to the ball of the foot.  At times, heel spur sufferers may need to undergo surgery to correct the condition.  While heel spur surgery is fairly common, surgical mistakes or unnecessary heel spur surgery can leave you with serious pain or mobility issues.  Heel spur surgery errors can lead to claims of podiatric malpractice in New York.

Surgery As a Last Option

Some podiatric surgeons will rush heel spur sufferers towards surgery.  Surgery on this tender part of the foot should never be a first step.  Rather, treatment for heel spur surgery should start with orthotics, exercise, medications, and injections.  When a surgeon jumps right to surgery, he or she is exposing you to riskier procedure that could have been entirely unnecessary.  Many heel spur sufferers never need surgery as they are able to control the condition through custom orthotics and medications.

Surgical Risks

Heel spur surgery traditionally involved making an incision to the bottom of the heal.  The surgeon would then cut the plantar fascia from the bone and remove the spur.  The entire procedure was quite delicate and patients often had long recovery times involving pain and the inability to put weight on the foot.

Technological advances today have made heel spur surgery less invasive.  Now, surgeons will generally use an endoscopic tool to complete the surgery. A small incision will be made on the side of the heel and a camera inserted to allow the surgeon to navigate.  The plantar fascia will then be carefully cut and at times the spur also removed.

As with any surgery, heel spur surgery comes with risks. Potential injuries stemming from the surgery include nerve pain, damage to the foot, or removal of too much of the plantar fascia.  Any of these errors may lead to long term pain and mobility problems.  Anyone who continues to suffer from foot pain or develops a new pain following heel spur surgery should consult with a podiatric malpractice attorney right away.

About the Author
Of all the different areas in medical malpractice, it is podiatry malpractice that has had a particular interest to me. With 42 years practicing law and representing hundreds of victims of malpractice, I have created a law practice in which my clients are comfortable knowing that their case is being handled with my personal attention, in the most professional manner, and without unreasonable delays.