Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release in Cases of Chronic Resistant Plantar Fasciopathy

The plantar fascia is a thick tissue band that connects the heel bone (the medial tubercle of the under surface of the calcaneus) to the metatarsophalangeal joints, forming the medial arch of the foot, which supports the foot during walking. Irritation and scarring of the plantar fascia is one of the most common causes of heel pain .

Plantar fasciopathy accounts for 11% to 15% of all foot disorders in both athletes and sedentary patients .

Although commonly referred to using incorrect nomenclature as plantar fasciitis ,it is degenerative process (i.e. fasciopathy).The etiology of plantar fasciopathy is not clear. It can result from irritation due to overstrain of the fascia, which induces mucoid degeneration The pathologic findings include degenerative tissue changes without inflammatory mediators .

The diagnosis of plantar fasciopathy is determined by the medical history and physical examination findings. Typically, patients present with heel pain during weight bearing , especially in the early morning and with the first steps after a period of inactivity .

Patients will usually have tenderness around the site of the plantar aponeurosis . The pain can be reproduced by stretching the diseased plantar aponeurosis by passive hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joints .

Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is a relatively new procedure, involves an endoscopic approach to the heel, allowing a plantar aponeurosis release to be performed with delicate instruments, minimal dissection, and immediate weight bearing