Surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis

Abstract

The results of surgical treatment of 16 patients with plantar fasciitis were reviewed. The indication for surgery was intolerable heel pain despite previous conservative measures. Patients requiring surgical treatment constituted only 7% of overall patients treated for plantar fasciitis. The surgical procedure involved an open medial partial plantar fascia release from the calcaneus and excision of calcaneal spur. A questionnaire about pain relief and function was sent to these patients who were not reviewed clinically. The follow-up ranged from 9 to 42 months. It was concluded that although 81% of patients reported improvement in clinical symptoms, only 44% of patients reported that their pain had completely disappeared. Mild wound complications were encountered in five and significant complications occurred in three patients. The re-operation rate was 6%. Patients need to be warned about surgical complications.