Fluoroscopic and Endoscopic Calcaneal Spur Resection Without Plantar Fascial Release for Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

BACKGROUND: Studies on endoscopic calcaneal spur resection (CSR) without plantar fascial release (PFR) are limited. This study aimed to review the data of patients who underwent fluoroscopic and endoscopic CSR without PFR for plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur to assess the effectiveness of CSR. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive patients with plantar fasciitis with ≥2 mm calcaneal spur who underwent endoscopic CSR without PFR from November 2017 to December 2019 were reviewed. Patients with ≥2 years of follow-up were included, whereas those who underwent another surgery on the operated foot were excluded. Age, body mass index (BMI), follow-up duration, calcaneal spur length, duration to full weightbearing postoperatively, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 2.7 years. A total of 47 patients (31 female, 16 male; mean age, 56.4 years; mean BMI, 25.5) were included. The mean calcaneal spur length was 5.7 mm. The VAS score improved from 79.6 ± 12.9 mm preoperatively to 5.3 ± 7.3 mm postoperatively. The JSSF score improved from 54.0 ± 19.1 points preoperatively to 97.5 ± 5.7 points postoperatively (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < .001, respectively). The mean duration to full weightbearing postoperatively was 4.4 ± 4.2 days. Two patients presented with tenderness, and one presented with hypesthesia at the portal site. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic CSR without PFR resulted in good outcomes, early return to full weightbearing, and few complications in patients with plantar fasciitis with ≥2 mm calcaneal spur. The results suggested that CSR was sufficient to relieve symtoms and improve function. PFR may not be necessary for treating plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.