Function and strength following gastrocnemius recession for isolated gastrocnemius contracture

Isolated gastrocnemius contracture (IGC), which limits ankle dorsiflexion with full knee extension, can affect function and quality of life. Gastrocnemius recession is a treatment option for IGC when conservative treatment fails. The goal of this study was to assess range of motion, function, and plantarflexion strength pre- and 3-months post-gastrocnemius recession for subjects with IGC.

Ankle range of motion, function, and plantarflexion strength in seven legs (four subjects), clinically diagnosed with IGC, before and after surgery were compared to matched control subjects to elucidate pre- and post-surgical intervention differences. All subjects with IGC were also diagnosed with plantar fasciitis with one leg having an additional diagnosis of metatarsalgia.

Subjects with IGC had significant post surgical improvements at 3 months after surgery in dorsiflexion range of motion (p = 0.016), function (p = 0.016) and isokinetic plantarflexion strength (p = 0.018).

Surgical recession enhanced range of motion and self reported function while not inducing any detrimental effects to plantarflexion strength at a 3-month followup. Post-surgically IGC subjects were more similar to healthy controls.