ENDOSCOPIC PLANTAR FASCIA RELEASE - AN ANATOMICAL STUDY

The anatomical relationship of neurovascular structures to the plantar fascia after endoscopic fasciotomy was studied in 13 adult fresh-froz en cadaver feet. Using a single portal technique, an endoscopic system was placed into the plantar compartment through a 1-cm medial incisio n. Under direct endoscopic visualization, the plantar fascia was relea sed. The feet were then dissected and the anatomic relationship of the neurovascular structures to the area of release was studied. The aver age amount of plantar fascia released was 81%. The average distance of the release to the lateral plantar nerve, and the nerve to the abduct or digiti minimi was 10.5 and 12.3 mm, respectively. The flexor digito rum brevis muscle was partially transected in 46% of the cases, and th e average amount of muscle transected was 0.8 mm. The endoscopic appro ach to the release of the plantar fascia provides adequate release and does not appear to pose any danger to underlying neurovascular struct ures.