They want to cut my calf open! - Gastroc Release

Maybe Smoove will chime in. I think this is what he had done a year or so ago. Came back and ran an awesome Boston Marathon.

You can do a search for his thread where he documents his comeback post-surgery.

Skeeple wrote:

I've been dealing with plantar for over a year and a half. Done pretty much every nonsurgical treatment including continuous months of not running combined with PT, straussburg sock, insoles, stretching etc. etc. I recently went to a new doctor and he quickly layed out the option of Gastroc release / gastroc recession. Has anybody ever had this done or know anybody who has, or just know about it? It scares me. From what I've read surgeries on the Plantar itself are hit or miss, but this office claims 98% success with this procedure (people are back to running etc. without any complication within 2 mo.). It sounds promising, but I don't know how it really affects runners. Post collegiate runner hoping to return to 60mi weeks.

TL;DR Does anybody have good insight on the effectiveness of Gastroc recession surgery for plantar Fasciitis relief in runners?

Mine migrated from PF to straight calf seizures which have been easier to manage lately. Like you I've been doing everything to avoid surgery the past four years. Very interested to hear peoples' experience with this procedure.

keepgoing wrote:

Maybe Smoove will chime in. I think this is what he had done a year or so ago. Came back and ran an awesome Boston Marathon.

You can do a search for his thread where he documents his comeback post-surgery.

I found the thread where SMOOVE had TOPAZ done and came back for boston, is that the one you meant? Good thread, but not directly relevant. What's interesting is the physician I saw mentioned TOPAZ as a follow up to release if the surgery doesn't quite get it SMOOVE did the TOPAZ straight away.

Yes, I had gastroc release on both calves in Oct 2016. I also had a release of the flexor hallicus longus tendon at the "knot of Henry" in each foot at the same time. The recovery for the gastroc release was fairly long since you prettymuch lose all that muscle mass and strength. It was very awkward trying to run again at first because the calf muscles were so weak. I started back a little near the end of December (mostly on the Alter-G). I was able to run in the pool once the stitches were out and I could ride by bike on the indoor trainer really soon after. I started on the eliptical some time in November. It probably wasn't until February where I felt like I was running more normal. In March I switched from light re-hab type strengthening to really heavy weights (4-6 reps, 4-6 sets) and that made a huge difference. I also do a lot of jump rope to strengthen my calves back. I use the leg press machine for my calves doing 2 up, 1 down calf raises. I also do the seated calf raise. Anyway, I still have some bad days, but for the most part I'd say the surgery was a sucess. I'm primarily a trail/ultra runner and have run 2 55Ks and one 100K so far this season sincing returning to running post surgery. I'm happy to answer any other questions about the surgery and recovery based on my experience.

Skeeple wrote:

I've been dealing with plantar for over a year and a half. Done pretty much every nonsurgical treatment including continuous months of not running combined with PT, straussburg sock, insoles, stretching etc. etc. I recently went to a new doctor and he quickly layed out the option of Gastroc release / gastroc recession. Has anybody ever had this done or know anybody who has, or just know about it? It scares me. From what I've read surgeries on the Plantar itself are hit or miss, but this office claims 98% success with this procedure (people are back to running etc. without any complication within 2 mo.). It sounds promising, but I don't know how it really affects runners. Post collegiate runner hoping to return to 60mi weeks.

TL;DR Does anybody have good insight on the effectiveness of Gastroc recession surgery for plantar Fasciitis relief in runners?

Where do you live?

-How bad did it get before you decided to get surgery? What was training like? Off and on; streaky?

-Did you lift heavy before deciding to get surgery?

-Did you try massage and/or accupuncture?

-Did you try other stuff? I don't suppose PT would do much...

Basically to what degree was surgery your last option if at all?

Yea same questions.

@Steve from Florida: Utah

Skeeple wrote:

keepgoing wrote:

Maybe Smoove will chime in. I think this is what he had done a year or so ago. Came back and ran an awesome Boston Marathon.

You can do a search for his thread where he documents his comeback post-surgery.

I found the thread where SMOOVE had TOPAZ done and came back for boston, is that the one you meant? Good thread, but not directly relevant. What's interesting is the physician I saw mentioned TOPAZ as a follow up to release if the surgery doesn't quite get it SMOOVE did the TOPAZ straight away.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Sorry. I thought he had the same procedure you were talking bout.

If you were East Coast, I know of a guy who works wonders. A body whisperer or sorts that treats many elites.

I was having issues with extremely tight calves and arch pain for about 3-4 years. I tried everything - ART, dry needling, graston, massage, stretching, strengthening, cortisone injections, ice, heat... you name it, I tried it. Surgery was the absolute last resort. I was training consistently 50-70 miles a week, but with pain. My arches and calves would be extremely tight and painful for the first 1-2 miles, so I would have to stop several times to give them a break or stretch, and then they would be painful/tight but manageable for the rest of the run. When I opted on surgery, the tightness/pain was no longer going away. I think I was able to run with the problems for so long because I run trails and ultras, so my trail runs are in the mountains with climbs so long and steep that they require power hiking, which I think gave my feet and calves some rest. And running ultras you have the same forced power hiking, plus a slower pace, so I was able to manage until last fall. By last fall I could no longer run from the pain and tightness so I finally gave in and tried surgery.

So now are you pain free and don't even think about it or do you still get a twinge every now and then and get scared? Did you ever feel like it was a risk that you would have gone through this and been either no-better or only marginally better?

I think thats what terrifies me the most is the idea that I'd sign up for surgery, 1 mo recovery, and 6 mo of PT and either be better but hampered (still better than now) or just marginally better - say enough to run 20mi a week (also still better than now)

I would not say I'm 100% yet (my surgeon said I should expect it to take 6-12 months to be back 100%), but I will say I have significant improvement. I can also see my calf muscles and some definition again. :) I sometimes have some tightness early on in my runs (worse if my run starts uphill right away), but for he most part I can run and not think about it any more. I did do a lot of ART, graston, and dry needling post surgery to work out the scar tissu, which helped with recovery. I am in my mid-40s, so I guess I figured worse case is the surgery wouldn't help and I'd be where I was before, so I felt like I had nothing to lose. I'm not sure if I was in my 20s if I would feel the same. Then again, if I was in my 20s my recovery would probably have gone a little faster. In my case, I'm glad I had the surgery, and so far at just over 6 months o,ut I'd say it has been a success; however, I'm sure everyone responds a little different so I can't say if it is the right thing for you to do. I can only speak to my experience.

Steve from Florida wrote:

If you were East Coast, I know of a guy who works wonders. A body whisperer or sorts that treats many elites.

Would that be my guy? If so, I can tell you a couple things:

1. My guy (if that's who you're referring to) will cure you with no surgery, no doubt, and have you running much faster than any surgeon.

2. Having had the manual therapy, I don't see how it's possible to treat this with surgery. It just makes no sense.

3. Much of the time PF is caused by tightness in the calves, but stretching may be only part of the solution. For me it was manual work to loosen scar tissue medial to my Achilles tendon. Since the AT/calf is stronger than the PF, the PF gets yanked on too much if the AT/calf is too tight. That's why we get PF.

4. I had PF for about 5 years with no change until my guy did his magic. He was too busy for a non-elite like me, but was gracious to see me once or twice and willing to communicate with other physical therapists in my area on what to do. BTW, it doesn't matter where you live. Fly to his town for an eval/treatment and you'll understand.

5. I owe my world to him!

I have had it on both legs for Achilles tendinitis and very tight calves after trying dorsal night splints, tons of stretching, and lots of eccentric heel drops; I'm coming out of the boot for my second one in a couple of weeks. On one leg I had gastroc recession, Achilles debridement, and flexor hallicus longus transfer; on the other just the gastroc recession. The leg on which I had the more extensive operation is dramatically better; while I've lost some strength, I was running pain free in that leg before I electively had the other done. I am far more flexible in the one that has already been through all the therapy. The reason we only did gastroc recession on the second surgery (otter leg) was that the pain was only at the base of the Achilles. I don't know much about having the surgery for plantar fasciitis. I would recommend it if you have an experienced surgeon.

Do NOT do this.

It could totally screw you up for the rest of your life.

I had one done already as an accompany to arthroereisis....I doc says I should get the other one done too but idk. The whole point of the surgery was to lengthen the calf system...but my calf isn't anymore flexible...just weaker. I stretched all the time and still do. It's been 2 months....how much longer until my calf gets more flexible!?

Totally stupid wrote:

Do NOT do this.

It could totally screw you up for the rest of your life.

Hmmm... I had this done and have since run several ultra marathons including two 100 mile trail races. I’m able to get back to running, and running big miles, pain free. Don’t think I would call that screwing up my life.

Sounds like an excuse for your terrible run times... something a hobby jogger would come up with for attention!! Haha

Utah?? Don’t they throw all sorts of pills and procedures at people for profit... seriously... look it up!!

You are a weak sister!! Drink water and stretch loser!!

What's the name of the DR???