Treatment of recurrent plantar fasciitis with percutaneous plantar fasciotomy guided by real-time B-ultrasound-a report of 472 cases / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To evaluate the effects of percutaneous plantar fasciotomy guided by real-time B-ultrasound in the treatment of recurrent plantar fasciitis. [Method]From June 1997 to May 2007,611 feet of 472 patients suffering from recurrent plantar fasciitis were treated with percutaneous plantar fasciotomy guided by real-time B-ultrasound.All the patients were aged from 20~71 years(mean 53.4 years) with the duration of disease from 6 months to 20 years(median 12 months).There were 177 males and 295 females.One foot was involved in 285 and two feet in 187 patients.A total of 611 feet,with the illness duration more than 6 months and VAS(Visual Analog Scale) ≥6 and having B-ultrasound manisfestations such as thickening of plantar fascia on calcaneum,were underwent percutaneous plantar fasciotomy guided by real-time B-ultrasound.Before operation VAS was 6 to 10(mean 8.4).Totally 376 patients were followed from 6 to 36 months(mean 18.4 months).[Result]Postoperative VAS was 0 in 349(92.8%),1~2 in 27 patients(7.2%).The time needed to achieve best postopetative effect was 7 days to 6 months.Of all the patients,302(80.3%) achieved the best effect within 7 to 14 days,56(14.9%) within 2 to 3 months and 18(4.8%) within 4~6 months.No patients were found to have complicated incision infection or injuries to medial or lateral plantar vessels and nerves.Incision scar was not obvious in all cases.[Conclusion]It can be concluded that percutaneous plantar fasciotomy guided by real-time B-ultrasound is a simple,safe and effective operative procedure in the treatment of recurrent plantar fasciitis.