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A 50 yo worker suffered a complete tear of his left plantaris tendon while quickly steppping on to the lower rung of a ladder which was 22" above the ground. The accident occurred in 2005. Since then he has had significant atrophy of his left calf, chronic pain and a limp. Nevertheless, he returned to work as a yard worker in a ciment factory, doing manual labor on his feet most of the day.

In 2008 he developped left plantar fasciitis and tried to reopen his file with worker's comp. The case was refused. WC considered the plantar fasciitis to be unrelated to his previous injury.

A consulting physician on this case, I have done a literature search which, so far, has found some general references to "weak" or "tight" calf muscles as a risk factor for PF. I have found no case reports, however.

Does anyone have clinical experience with PF ocurruing as a long term complication of a calf muscle rupture?

Than-you very much.

John Osterman MD (Montreal, Canada)

 

John.

Not everyone comes on the indroduction section. I would suggest you go the forums and click on the biomechanics and then new thread and repost your question everyone will see the post and you are more likly to get help and maybe even research papers which answer you question.

 

Hi John:
My educated guess is that he did more than rupture his plantaris in '05, possibly partial AT rupture or Gastroc and/or soleus tear. A partial tear of the AT would give long term GS weakness if he didn't rehab.

Steve