Outcomes
contracture, Ankle, pain
SECONDARY, PLANTAR FASCIITIS
The primary outcome was the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score at 6-year follow-up. This score is a clinician-reported outcome measure constructed by 9 items measuring pain, function, and alignment. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 represents an individual with perfect function, no pain, and no foot/ankle abnormality.MOxFQ (Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire) was added as a secondary outcome measure. MOxFQ consists of 16 questions in 3 domains (pain, walking/standing, and social interaction) leading to a total score from 0 to 100, 0 being the best possible score. It is validated as a reliable tool to measure results of foot and ankle surgery.Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain at 6 years was another secondary outcome. As plantar fasciitis is associated with a great variance of pain throughout the day, we defined it as “the worst pain you have experienced in your foot within the last 24 hours.” The scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 represents no pain and 10 the worst imaginable pain.Ankle dorsiflexion was determined using a device that measured the ankle’s range of motion. It has been previously tested and found to be valid, reliable, and responsive in detecting isolated gastrocnemius contracture (IGC).Achilles complex (Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius/soleus) performance was evaluated by a test battery consisting of 6 independent tests measured by the Musclelab system (Ergotest Technology, Porsgrunn, Norway). Three tests were jump tests, 2 were strength tests, and 1 was an endurance test.