Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Recession and Stretching Versus Stretching as Treatment of Chronic Plantar Heel Pain.

40 patients with plantar heel pain and previously failed response to conservative treatment were randomized to a proximal medial gastrocnemius recession procedure followed by stretching exercise or to stretching exercise only. The primary outcome of interest was the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the AOFAS score at 3 months, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey, and Achilles performance test. Results demonstrated significantly better AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and VAS pain score at 3 and 12 month, as well as SF-36 scores at 12 months, among the group who underwent proximal medial gastrocnemius recession procedure when compared patients allocated to stretching alone. Achilles performance test results at 12 months demonstrated no between-group differences.