Dr. Matthew James Dougherty, DPM

I regret getting plantar fasciitis surgery more than anything I’ve ever done for my health. I went into it hoping for relief, and instead I’ve come out three months later in worse pain than before—with new problems I never had. Since the procedure, I’ve had constant stabbing heel pain, a large painful lump in my calf, and I can barely walk on the foot at all. My knee has started hurting too from compensating. Before surgery, at least I could still get around. Now even basic movement is a struggle, and my quality of life has plummeted. What’s been especially frustrating is feeling like I’ve gotten nowhere trying to figure out what went wrong. I’ve reached out multiple times about the ongoing pain and lack of improvement, but I never got clear answers or a plan that actually helped. The only solution offered was nerve pain medication, and none of it made a difference. I’m now at the point where I have to find another doctor for a second opinion just to try to get back to tolerable… walking. I also woke up after anesthesia to find out they had to redo the nerve block, which makes me wonder if something may have been affected during the process. I can’t say for sure what happened—but I do know I’m significantly worse off than before surgery.