Effects of gastrocnemius recession on ankle motion

Authors: Arianna Gianakos Youichi Yasui Christopher D Murawski John G Kennedy

Publish Date: 2015/12/19

Volume: 24, Issue: 4, Pages: 1355-1364

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Abstract

The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were reviewed with terms “gastrocnemius recession” The inclusion criteria were 1 clinical studies 2 published in a peerreviewed journal within the past 10 years and 3 published in English Excluded were 1 review articles 2 cadaveric studies 3 studies including patients under the age of 18 years 4 studies evaluating a neurologic condition 5 level of evidence 5 and 6 Quality of Evidence Score 3 Data were then extracted and analysed for trends The PearlDiver Database was also used to review deidentified patient information retrospectively between 2007 and 2011Fulltext review yielded 23 articles that fit the inclusion criteria Twentyone of 23 91  and 2/23 9  studies were level of evidence 4 and 3 respectively Twelve of 23 52  studies reported followup assessment between 12 and 36 months and no studies reported longerterm followup Twelve of 12 100  studies reported improved dorsiflexion range of motion 9/9 100  reported improved AOFAS and 11/11 100  reported improved VAS Five of 23 22  studies reported strength in a measured and controlled fashion with variable results but of these no study reported a return to normal power The mean complication rate was 14 The available evidence supports that GR improves functional outcomes and increases dorsiflexion range of motion Furthermore GR affects gait kinematics which may cause compensatory effects at the knee ankle and subtalar joints Evidence has shown that power does not return to normal levels Clinicians may utilize these data clinically to determine whether patients may benefit from GR or not

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