Plantar fascia release for chronic plantar fasciitis in runners

Plantar fascia release has been suggested to be of benefit for patients with symptoms of chronic unresponsive plantar fasciitis. However, results of this procedure have not been published. We performed 11 releases in 9 long-distance runners whose symptoms had been present for an average of 20 months and had not responded to nonsurgical treatment. The results of these operations were excellent in 10 feet and good in 1 foot at an average follow-up time of 25 months. Eight out of nine patients returned to desired full training at an average time of 4.5 months. Histologic examination of surgical biopsy specimens from these patients showed collagen necrosis, angiofibroblastic hyperplasia, chondroid metaplasia, and matrix calcification. Plantar fascia release was an effective procedure for these patients.