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 unre sponsive plantar fasciitis. However, results of this pro cedure 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 hyperpla sia, chondroid metaplasia, and matrix calcification. Plantar fascia release was an effective procedure for these patients.

[1]  P. Balasubramaniam,et al.  The effect of injection of hydrocortisone into rabbit calcaneal tendons. , 1972, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[2]  R. Nirschl,et al.  Tennis elbow. The surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis. , 1979, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[3]  C. Keck.  The Tarsal-tunnel Syndrome , 1962 .

[4]  S. J. Lam.  TARSAL TUNNEL SYNDROME , 2005 .

[5]  S. James,et al.  Injuries to runners , 1974, The American journal of sports medicine.

[6]  W. Clancy.  Runners' injuries Part two. Evaluation and treatment of specific injuries , 1980, The American journal of sports medicine.

[7]  J. Basmajian,et al.  THE ROLE OF MUSCLES IN ARCH SUPPORT OF THE FOOT. , 1963, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[8]  J. Furey.  Plantar fasciitis. The painful heel syndrome. , 1975, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[9]  R. Leach,et al.  Rupture of the plantar fascia in athletes. , 1978, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[10]  J. Gerster,et al.  The painful heel. Comparative study in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, and generalized osteoarthrosis. , 1977, Annals of the rheumatic diseases.

[11]  V. T. Inman,et al.  Treatment of plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs with the UC-BL shoe insert. , 1974, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.