[Surgical treatment of rupture of the plantar fascia].

Among the various lesions of the hindfoot in athletes, plantar fascia ruptures are not well documented and their surgical treatment is not often reported in the literature. The purpose of the current work was to more precisely define therapeutic indications and to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment based on the excision-release of the plantar fascia. Between 1986 and 1991, 19 patients (5 females, 14 males, average age 32 years) were operated on by one surgeon. All patients were either recreational or competitive athletes. The plantar fascia rupture occurred 18 times during sports activity. Surgical treatment was indicated when pain persisted despite a well conducted conservative treatment. In 17 cases, MRI allowed to plan the operative strategy by showing the fascia lesion. The patients were operated after an average of 8 months following the initial injury (6-16 months). One patient was lost for follow-up, 2 had a follow-up below 6 months, thus 16 patients were available for analysis. The clinical outcome was evaluated through persistence of pain, return to sports, and functional activity. With a 16-month average follow-up (6-51 months) it was observed that pain constantly disappeared and that 11 patients over 16 returned to the same level of sports activity after 6 months with a time-stable result. After failure of a well conducted conservative treatment, surgical treatment of plantar fascia rupture must be proposed. Surgical technique is based not only on fascia release but also on the excision of the pathological scar tissue in order to avoid the restoration of the continuity of the fascia with the calcaneus.