To investigate whether ultrasound-guided preoperative portal localization in a modified double–medial-portal endoscopic technique reduces postoperative complications while maintaining comparable clinical outcomes in patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients suffering from stubborn plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur from January 2023 to August 2024. 32 patients had a traditional endoscopic partial release of the plantar fascia, whereas 30 patients underwent a modified release guided by ultrasound. Two medial portals were used by both the traditional and altered groups. Every patient was monitored for a minimum of 12 months. The clinical results for both groups were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the medial longitudinal arch angle (MLAA), and the Arch Index (AI). Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS and AOFAS scores at one, six and 12 months postoperatively. No significant between-group differences were observed in pain relief, functional recovery, or foot structural parameters at any follow-up time point. The ultrasound-guided group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications. Patient-reported satisfaction appeared to be higher in the ultrasound-guided group. Ultrasound-guided modified double–medial-portal endoscopic surgery provides comparable clinical outcomes with fewer postoperative complications, suggesting a safety advantage rather than superior efficacy in recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.
An et al. (Thu,) studied this question.