Minimally Invasive (Endoscopic) Plantar Fascia Release- Does it Improve the Outcomes? Two Years Follow Up
Gil Genuth*, Nadav Moses, Konstantin Hramov and Lukas D Iselin
ABSTRACT
Plantar fasciitis (PF), affecting 10% of individuals during their lifetime, is a leading cause of heel pain. While conservative management remains the primary treatment, endoscopic plantar fasciotomy (EPF) has emerged as a minimally invasive surgical option for refractory cases. This study evaluates outcomes of EPF in 80 patients, performed by a single surgeon, with a two-year follow-up.
Eighty patients (25 males, 55 females; mean age: 54.8 years, BMI: 28.75) with chronic PF unresponsive to six months of conservative therapy underwent two-portal EPF from January 2021 to December 2022. Data collected included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, patient satisfaction, time to return to sports, and complications at 12 and 24 months postoperatively.
AOFAS scores improved from 34.3 preoperatively to 86.9 at one year and 90.2 at two years (p < 0.05). VAS scores decreased from 7.9 preoperatively to 3.3 at one year and 1.7 at two years (p < 0.05). Most patients (87.5%) resumed sports within nine months. Satisfaction was high (89%), though 8% reported persistent pain, and 6% experienced minor wound infections resolved with topical treatment.
EPF is a safe and effective option for chronic PF, yielding substantial pain and functional improvements. Persistent heel pain affected 8% of patients, highlighting the need for individualized treatment strategies.
