Gastrocnemius Shortening and Heel Pain

Pain and reduced function caused by disorders of either the plantar fascia or the Achilles tendon are common. Although heel pain is not a major public health problem it affects millions of people each year. For most patients, time and first-line treatments allow symptoms to resolve. A proportion of patients have resistant symptoms. Managing these recalcitrant cases is a challenge. Gastrocnemius contracture produces increased strain in both the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. This biomechanical feature must be properly assessed otherwise treatment is compromised.

Source: Foot and Ankle Clinics - October 2, 2014 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Matthew C. Solan, Andrew Carne, Mark S. Davies Source Type: research