BIOMECHANICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEQUENTIAL PLANTAR FASCIA RELEASE

Plantar fascia release has long been a mainstay in the surgical treatm ent of persistent heel pain, although its effects on the biomechanics of the foot are not well understood. With the use of cadaver specimens and digitized computer programs, the changes in the medial and latera l columns of the foot and in the transverse arch were evaluated after sequential sectioning of the plantar fascia. Complete release of the p lantar fascia caused a severe drop in the medial and lateral columns o f the foot, compared with release of only the medial third. Equinus ro tation of the calcaneus and a drop in the cuboid indicate that strain of the plantar calcaneocuboid joint capsule and ligament is a likely c ause of lateral midfoot pain after complete plantar fascia release.