Effect of plantar fasciotomy on stability of arch of foot

Five anatomic specimen feet were studied at three different loading levels to determine the three-dimensional position of the individual bones constituting the arch. Bone displacements were compared before and after plantar fasciotomy. Bone displacements changed to a greater extent with higher leads. With a 222-N lead the greatest difference in position in dorsiflexion after fasciotomy occurred at the talar to tibial joint, followed by the metatarsal relative to navicular and navicular to talar joints. The greatest difference in displacement in eversion was at the metatarsal relative to navicular, followed by the navicular to talar and calcaneal to talar joints. The greatest difference in displacement in abduction was at the navicular to talar and then the calcaneal to talar joints. The observed displacement of all joints, with changes about all three axes, was consistent with the finding of flattening of the arch in previous reports on plantar fasciotomy. Thus, these data suggest that sectioning of the fascia, which sometimes is performed for fasciitis, may have an effect on the mechanical behavior of the arch.