Endoscopic plantar fascia release via a suprafascial approach is effective for intractable plantar fasciitis.

Objective: To evaluate the medium-term clinical results of endoscopic plantar fascia release (EPFR) using a suprafascial approach for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

Methods: Twenty-four feet of twenty-three patients who underwent EPFR using a suprafascial approach were followed up for more than 2 years using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. The AOFAS score at final follow-up was compared between patients who participated in athletic activity (group A) and those who were sedentary (group S) and between those with and those without calcaneal spur (group with CS and group without CS, respectively). The ability of patients to return to athletic activity, and if so, the time interval between surgery and return to athletic activity, were investigated in group A. Complications were recorded.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 48 months. The mean AOFAS score in all patients increased significantly between before surgery and final follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean score in group A at final follow-up was significantly higher than that in group S (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the mean score at final follow-up between the groups with and without CS. In group A, all patients could return to athletic activity after a median 8 weeks. Injury to the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve occurred in three feet.

Conclusions: EPFR using a suprafascial approach was effective for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. However, the prognosis of sedentary patients was inferior to that of patients engaged in athletic activity. Methods: IV.