Minimal invasive percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency for plantar fasciotomy: a retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to present the results of a relatively new, minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis in 14 patients, 2 of whom underwent the treatment bilaterally one foot at time on separate occasions. This was a retrospective, multicenter, nonrandomized study. All of the patients had failed conservative therapy and had symptoms for at least 6 months. The mean follow-up duration was 15.25 months (range, 6-33 months). The postoperative mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score was 82.06 (range, 56-100). None of the patients developed complex regional pain syndrome, and all but 2 (14.29% of patients, 12.5% of feet) of the patients were able to return to regular shoe gear by 2-4 weeks postoperative, and only 1 (7.14% of patients, 6.25% of feet) patient was considered a treatment failure. Based on our experience with minimally invasive percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency plantar fasciotomy, we believe the technique to be a relatively easy intervention that is effective and requires less healing time in comparison with traditional open surgical procedures.