Effect of the Plantar Fasciotomy on the Movement of the Foot Arch

Abstract

Plantar fascia release has long been a mainstay in the surgical treatment of persistent heel pain, although its effects on the biomechanics of the foot are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the plantar fascia in the foot arch biomechanics, especially the fore foot motion after plantar fasciotomy via a three-dimensional finite element model of a normal left foot which comprising most joints of the foot. The validity of the three-dimensional finite element model was verified by cadaveric experiment. The vertical and horizontal displacement of the foot bones were calculated as well as the angulation under different situations. The height of the longitudinal arch decreased from 17.923 mm to 19.353 mm after the plantar fasciotomy in sagittal plane. The average contribution of the plantar fascia to the rotation of the foot bones were 34.53%, 22.46% and 12.63% in sagittal, transversal and coronal plane respectively. The plantar fascia is one of the major stabilizing structures of the longitudinal arch of human foot.