Clinical Outcomes Following an Open Gastrocnemius Recession Combined With an Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy

At present, there is a paucity of literature describing the clinical outcomes following a combined gastrocnemius recession and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. The purpose of the present report is to describe our preliminary findings following a combined gastrocnemius recession and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and gastrocnemius equinus recalcitrant to conservative therapy. Twenty-five consecutive ankles in 23 patients (age 51.2 ± 12.5 years, 4 men) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average follow-up was 3.7 months. Compared across time, there were statistically significant improvements in pain, t(24) = 7.878, P < .001; dorsiflexion, t(24) = -6.125, P < .001; and eversion, t(23) = -3.610, P = .001. Plantar flexion and inversion remained similar across time ( P = .722 and P = .268, respectively). No statistically significant correlations were found between age and any of the postoperative outcome variables ( P ≥ .056) or body mass index and any of the postoperative outcome variables ( P ≥ .140). The authors believe that an isolated plantar fasciotomy alleviates symptoms in the majority of patients. When gastrocnemius equinus is also present, however, the authors advocate performing an open gastrocnemius recession as well. If the gastrocnemius pathology is not addressed, symptoms are likely to persist. The findings of the present report confirm the effectiveness of a combined gastrocnemius recession and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy to improve pain and range of motion.

Case series, Level IV: Retrospective.