Gastrocnemius Recession in the Setting of Metatarsalgia: The Baumann Procedure

A fundamental etiologic component of metatarsalgia is the repetitive loading of a locally concentrated force in the forefoot during gait. In the setting of an isolated gastrocnemius contracture, weight-bearing pressure is shifted toward the forefoot. If metatarsalgia is considered an entity more than a symptom, evaluation of gastrocnemius contracture must be a part of the physical examination, and gastrocnemius recession via the Baumann procedure alone, or in combination with other procedures, considered as an alternative treatment in an attempt to restore normal foot biomechanics.