Evaluation of the functional outcome following endoscopic decompression of retrocalcaneal bursitis

Abstract

Introduction: Retro calcaneal bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa located between the posterior surface of the heel bone and the anterior surface of the Achilles tendon. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic decompression and debridement in patients with retrocalcaneal bursitis who had not responded to conservative treatment. Our primary objective was to estimate the improvement in American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score after surgery, and our secondary objectives were to estimate the average surgical duration and the incidence of post-operative complications. Material and methods: This was a single-centre intervention study at a tertiary institution's level. Included in the study were all patients who were diagnosed with retrocalcaneal bursitis and who had failed a minimum 6-month trial of conservative treatment. 36 patients (36 heels) underwent endoscopic decompression. Results: A prospective interventional cohort study was conducted on a total of 36 adult patients (18-70 years) with clinical and radiological findings suggestive of retrocalcaneal bursitis, duration of failed conservative treatment prior to surgery > 6 months, and refractoriness to other forms of non-operative treatment like steroid injections regardless of duration. There were no patients lost to follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 6 months [6 months to 2 years]. The average pre-operative AOFAS score was 56.42 6.8, ranging from 44 to 70. The difference between preoperative and postoperative AOFAS scores at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months was statistically significant (p 0.0001). Conclusion: In patients with retrocalcaneal bursitis, arthroscopic decompression is a safe, effective, and simple procedure. Within the first three months, the majority of study participants experienced pain relief and a significant improvement in function.

Keywords

• retrocalcaneal bursitis
• endoscopic decompression
• tendo-achilles
• tendinitis