Hi,
I had the Topaz surgery done in December (it's now April) and I couldn't be happier.
For me, I had plantar fasciitis for almost two years. I went through all the steps to be qualified for the surgery. Stretching, iceing, NSAIDs, rest, PT, shots (four of them), a air cast, a hard cast, custom made and over the counter orthodics, ultrasounds, ... everything, and nothing worked. I called a doctor who did the ESWT to see if this would work. He told me I needed a MRI first and then we would see, well not only did I have plantar fasciitis but I also had a fractured heel because the pulling of the fascia caused it to fracture. So, after the MRI he told me that I would be better off with the Topaz, it sounded crazy but I was willing to try anything, even cutting off my foot. The surgery was easy. I went in at 5am, they knocked me out, and 14 minutes later I was waking up in recovery.
What he did was take a long needle and poked 36 holes in my heel, then turned the machine on and pushed the needle through the holes and through the fascia. By using this needle/wand, it makes holes in the fascia while breaking down and dissolving the scar tissue. The holes are to release tension and to make the fascia grow all over again. I had this done on a Friday and by Sunday I could put pressure on it, by Monday I was walking. The recovery for me was 14 weeks. The key is to stretch your calf before bed and waking up, wearing a night splint to keep the fascia stretched, ice it all day, and elevate it. I was a big time runner but now I walk because I would rather be able to walk than run and risk it coming back. I also purchased the Zcoil shoes, google it. They have helped with my recovery because I was not able to stand for very long and the extra comfort and spring in the heel took off a lot of pressure and pain.
The surgery I was not awake for thank God, he recovery was not so bad. I am a huge baby with pain and I would do this all over again if it came back. Everyone is different but I would tell you to do it. The 14 weeks went by fast and you will see how amazing it works. I would say the first 3 -4 weeks were the worst not pain wise but trying to figure out how to slow down because now you can walk without pain. You will flex ur foot slightly and feel tiny needle like tears in your fascia ouch! But as time goes on you will see how you will be able to flex farther and farther without pain. Do not take anything for pain other than what your doc says, mine said nothing but Tylenol with codine. Do not take a anti-imflammatry, you want it to be inflammed so it can repaire.
Good luck, I hope your surgery is as successful as mine.
I am scheduled to have topaz in my left foot in two weeks, nervous abot it. I have two kids to take care of, ahhhh. Cant take this pain anymore, almost 2 years. anybody, how long to comfortably walking on it?
Hey, I had the Topaz surgery on May 12th, 2010. I have been able to walk only when necessary, but only because the doc said so. The pain is not that bad and I am a big baby when it comes to pain. I guess because I have experienced 2+ years of pain, I am use to it. I am taking Lortab 5 for pain. I had the procedure done on Wed and Saturday I can remove bandage and shower. The jury is still out as to whether this fixes my left foot, but the nurses said the doc has had excellent success and has not heard of anyone he did this on and it didn't work. We will see. I PRAY it works. PF is sooo painful, and I have often thought about having my foot cut off (which I would not do, but still thought about it). I originally had PF in both feet, but exercises got rid of it in the right foot. However, the left foot was very stubborn. I exercised very frequently, used the night splint, had shots, bought custom made orthotics and expensive shoes. Topaz sounds very promising and I would definitely give it a try. You should not be nervous ( I know you can't help it), but it is a really quick procedure and the pain is not bad at all. I am using a cane to aid with what little walking I am allowed to do right now, but that is by choice because I am probably walking a little more than what I should be. Let us know how your surgery goes and I will also try to remember to post more results as they come.
2nd post as a reply...I am doing very well. I am able to stand for much longer periods of time. I have begun wearing other kinds of shoes other than tennis shoes with orthotics. However, any shoe I have worn has some kind of at least a little bit of an arch support. I found some Clark sandals on sale, and they had a small built-in arch support which works great. I am no longer having the throbbing, shooting pain at night. Rarely, I am still having some heel pain due to the heel spur that developed due to the PF. Again, the heel pain is rare. At my check-up two weeks ago, the doc told me it takes 3 mo. to know for certain if the surgery was a success. He also said I would have good days and bad days. I am so thankful that I am having lots of good days, and the "bad" days are not that bad. Even though my 3 mo.s are not up yet, it appears the surgery was a success. I don't foresee a decline in my recovery...I just know that so far every week there are improvements. Hopefully, it will work out that I will be fully recovered in the end. I have to say it was worth the surgery just even to have this little break from the pain I had endured for 2+ years!
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