Mid-Term Patient Reported Outcomes Following An Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession for Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

Category: Hindfoot; Other Introduction/Purpose: For most patients suffering from plantar fasciitis, nonoperative management can alleviate their symptoms. In a small subset of patients these modalities are unsuccessful, and invasive procedures can be recommended. With current studies supporting the use of this procedure with good short-term results and a low complication rate, we hypothesize that an isolated gastrocnemius recession for plantar fasciitis will demonstrate good midterm results. Methods: Eighty-eight patients underwent a gastrocnemius recession for isolated, recalcitrant plantar fasciitis between September 2014-June 2017, and were identified using procedural codes. Patients were then contacted via phone to obtain answers to Foot and Ankle Ability Measurement, and AAOS foot and ankle outcome scores. Patients were also asked questions about if they were satisfied with the procedure, would repeat the procedure, or would recommend it to a friend. Results: Fifty-two patients were contacted, nine declined participation. The group included 33 females and 10 males, 23 left and right feet (3 bilateral). Investigator follow up occurred at a mean time of 5.0±1.3 years. The average FAAM scores by category were ADL 92.0±15.0, daily function 91.0±19.8. On the FAAM rating of current function 30 rated themselves as normal, 8 near normal. The average AAOS foot and ankle scores were 93.9±11.4 (normative standard 50.9±9.8), shoe comfort 83.5±25.8 (normative standard 53.4±8.8). 41 patients rated themselves as satisfied with the procedure (95%), 40 would do it again (93%) and 39 would recommend the procedure to a friend with recalcitrant symptoms (91%). One patient required a revision gastrocnemius recession with relief of symptoms. No other complications were noted. Conclusion: he use of an isolated gastrocnemius recession for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis demonstrates a high rate of patient satisfaction and function in the midterm at 5 years. This study supports the use of this procedure in patients who fail non-operative regimens.