Heel pain-plantar fasciitis and Achilles enthesopathy

Plantar fasciitis and Achilles enthesopathy are two of the most common causes of posterior heel pain. In the vast majority of cases, nonsurgical treatment methods are effective. In recalcitrant cases, surgery has been shown to be generally effective. There are a variety of described techniques for both conditions. Endoscopic treatment of plantar fasciitis leads to slightly enhanced recovery times compared with the traditional open release, but in the long term the results seem to be equivalent. Open debridement of the retrocalcaneal bursa, calcaneal osteophyte, and diseased tendon is the underlying principle behind surgical treatment of Achilles enthesopathy. This can be performed through a variety of approaches, and augmentation with suture anchors, tendon transfers, or allograft may be necessary when more than 50% of the tendon is excised.