Plantar fascia ruptures in athletes

Objective: To educate sports medicine practitioners as to length of time for an athlete to return to activity after sustaining a rupture of the plantar fascia. Methods: Athletic patients sustaining plantar fascia ruptures and subsequent treatment were reviewed. Diagnosis was based on clinical findings, although radiographic studies were done. Patients were treated for 2 to 3 weeks with a below-knee or high-top boot, nonweightbearing, with an additional 2 to 3 weeks of weightbearing in the boot. Patients used physical therapy. Results: Eighteen athletes, including 6 elite athletes, were evaluated. Mean age was 40.9 +/- 13.2 years. There were 12 males and 6 females. Mean postinjury follow-up was 42 months. Duration of prior plantar fascia symptoms ranged from 0 to 52 weeks. All but 2 ruptures were of the medial portion. Four patients had injections prior to rupture. Five patients wore orthoses preinjury; 14 wore orthoses postinjury. All patients returned to activity after 2 to 26 weeks (mean, 9.1 +/- 6.0 weeks), Running athletes predominantly composed the cohort; others played tennis, volleyball, and basketball, Conclusion: Using the treatment protocol, patients sustaining plantar fascia rupture can achieve favorable results with complete return to activity. None of the 18 patients sustained reinjury; had postinjury sequelae, or necessitated surgery, contrary to other studies.