ENDOSCOPIC PLANTAR FASCIA RELEASE - A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANATOMIC STUDY

Endoscopic plantar fascia release is a new procedure proposed to treat heel pain and plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study was to ass ess the structures at risk during plantar fascia release using this me thod. Ten fresh-frozen cadaver feet were divided into two groups, All specimens underwent cannula placement inferior to the plantar fascia. Five of the specimens had plantar fascia release using the endoscopic technique, Six of the specimens were then frozen and cut in transverse , sagittal, and coronal sections to visualize the relationship between the cannula and plantar fascia and surrounding structures. Gross diss ection was performed on the remaining four specimens, The amount of pl antar fascia released, the relationship to the nerve to abductor digit i minimi, and the fascia of the abductor hallucis muscle were assessed , The average distance from the cannula margin to the nerve to the abd uctor digiti minimi was 6 mm at the medial border of the plantar fasci a. The average amount of plantar fascia released was 90%. Although a c omplete release was attempted, the fascia to the abductor hallucis was not released in any of the specimens. The nerve to the abductor digit i minimi was not damaged in any of the specimens. On coronal sections, the nerve was closer to the cannula and plantar fascia release than p reviously reported.