Percutaneous planter fasciitis release under local anesthesia: A prospective study

PURPOSE Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel. It occurs when the strong band of the tissue supporting the arch of foot becomes irritated and inflamed. The majority of patients can be treated conservatively but some resistant cases need surgery eventually. This study aims to evaluate the outcome results of percutaneous planter fascia release under local anesthesia for chronic planter fasciitis. METHODS This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the School of Medical Science and Research, Sharda University, India from December 2010 to December 2013. Totally 78 patients with planter fasciitis for more than 6-12 months were recruited from the outpatient department. All patients were operated on under local anesthesia and followed up for a year. RESULTS The clinical results were evaluated in terms of pain, activity level and patient satisfaction. Pain relief was achieved averagely at eight weeks after surgery. The results were excellent in 88.46% (69/78) patients and good in 6.41% (9/78) patients. Neither complications of lateral column instability, sinus tarsitis and metatarsalgia nor wound-related complications were encountered. On subjective evaluations, 88.46% (69/78) patients reported full satisfaction and 6.41% (9/78) reported partial satisfaction after treatment. CONCLUSION Percutaneous planter fasciitis release under local anesthesia is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the outpatient setting. It is easy, quick, effective and moreover with few complications.