Healio
Healio
July 25, 2007
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Gastrocnemius slide found safe, effective as treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis

Investigators found that the technique provided significant symptom relief even in patients with a body mass index greater than 30.

TORONTO — Gastrocnemius recession yielded a 93.6% cure rate in patients with isolated chronic plantar fasciitis, according to a study presented here.

"Increased forces on the Achilles tendon have been correlated with increased tension within the plantar aponeurosis, and because of this, we thought the gastrocnemius slide should be evaluated for treatment of plantar fasciitis," said Jeffrey J. Rocco, MD, at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 23rd Annual Summer Meeting, held here.

Rocco and colleagues evaluated the outcomes for 47 feet of 39 patients examined an average of 19 months after undergoing surgery.

Investigators found that most patients had an improvement in pain, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). At follow-up, 27 feet of 21 patients had a VAS pain score of 0 points, and 17 feet in 15 patients scored between 1 and 4 points on the VAS. "There were three patients at the time of follow-up who felt that they were not improved, but they were not worse either," Rocco said.

Of 18 patients with a body mass index greater than 30 points, 10 were cured by surgery and had a VAS score of 0. Another six of these 18 patients had an improvement in VAS-measured pain, and two patients reported no change in their symptoms, he said.

"We had no significant complications, [but] we did have some transient sural nerve paresthesia," Rocco said.

"Gastrocnemius recession is a safe alternative to conservative management for people with chronic plantar fasciitis and [it is] a good solution for a difficult problem," he said.

For more information:

  • Jeffrey J. Rocco, MD, can be reached at Ogden Orthopaedic Specialists, 4403 Harrison Blvd., Suite 2600, Ogden, UT 84403; 801-387-2600. He has no financial conflicts to disclose.
  • Chilvers M, Rocco JJ, Manoli A. Gastrocnemius recession for chronic plantar fasciitis. Presented at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 23rd Annual Summer Meeting. July 13-15, 2007. Toronto.