Comparison of results of retrocalcaneal decompression for retrocalcaneal bursitis and insertional Achilles tendinosis with calcific spur

Sixteen feet with retrocalcaneal bursitis (RB) and twenty-two feet with calcific Achilles insertional tendinosis (IAT-CS) underwent retrocalcaneal decompression after failure of nonoperative treatment. Follow-up evaluation at least two years after surgery included AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot subscale scores, satisfaction, time until maximum symptomatic improvement, and radiographs. Statistically significant differences between the groups include the following: IAT-CS patients were older, required nearly twice the time to reach maximum symptomatic improvement, had lower satisfaction rates, had a lower pain score, and more frequently had shoewear restrictions. Radiographic recurrence did not correlate with outcome or symptomatic recurrence.