Distal Tarsal Tunnel Release with Partial Plantar Fasciotomy for Chronic Heel Pain: An Outcome Analysis

This study evaluated the effectiveness of distal tarsal tunnel release with a partial plantar fasciotomy for chronic subcalcaneal pain syndrome in patients who failed nonoperative management through a retrospective review of all patients undergoing this procedure between 1994 and 1999. Distal tarsal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foot & ankle international 2002-06, Vol.23 (6), p.530-537
Main Authors: Watson, Troy S., Anderson, Robert B., Davis, W. Hodges, Kiebzak, Gary M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Chronic Disease
Combined Modality Therapy
Fasciotomy
Female
Foot - surgery
Foot Bones - surgery
Heel
Humans
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Pain - surgery
Patient Satisfaction
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:This study evaluated the effectiveness of distal tarsal tunnel release with a partial plantar fasciotomy for chronic subcalcaneal pain syndrome in patients who failed nonoperative management through a retrospective review of all patients undergoing this procedure between 1994 and 1999. Distal tarsal tunnel release and a partial plantar fasciotomy were offered only to those patients with disabling heel pain and were performed under general anesthesia or ankle block. Seventy-five patients (80 heels), averaging 20 months of nonoperative treatment, were identified (group I). Postoperative outcome questionnaires (SF-36 and Foot Function Index [FFI]) were sent to these patients and 44 (46 heels) responded (group II). In group I, 88% of patients had a good to excellent result. Many continued with mild to moderate residual symptoms, which typically did not limit their activity. In group II, 91% of patients were somewhat to very satisfied with their outcome. Visual analogue scale scores for pain were reduced by a mean of 55. SF-36 scores, matched against a control group of patients receiving just nonoperative treatment, showed a statistically significant improvement in all pain and functioning subcategories. We conclude that a distal tarsal tunnel release with a partial plantar fasciotomy may successfully increase function and decrease pain in patients who fail nonoperative treatment.
ISSN:1071-1007
1944-7876
DOI:10.1177/107110070202300610