Method and System for Performing Endoscopic Surgery at Locations Where Tissue Inserts Into Bone

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to endoscopic surgery at locations in the body where tissue inserts into bone and more particularly to a method and system of performing endoscopic heel surgery.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various techniques and systems for performing endoscopic surgery in the body have been developed. These systems provide instrument access and visualization of tissue targeted by a specific operation. Advances have been made at locations in the body where a natural channel or simple pathway can be formed by a tube having a slot or opening for identifying and operating on the target tissue. However, at other locations in the body these known methods and systems for endoscopic surgery have problems providing access and visualization at or near a line of insertion of tissue to bone. Problems occur because most bones have an arcuate surface with the corresponding line of insertion curving away from the opening resulting in the diminished reach of an instrument and imaging of an endoscope. Other disadvantages of known systems include diminished visualization of deep cuts in thick tissues, the ability to identify and operate on adjacent tissues often requiting repositioning of the tube. Furthermore, a repositioned tube may not provide the needed access or visualization of the specific operation. Repositioning has other disadvantages including requiring additional surgical time and procedures, larger incisions to maneuver the tube, and increased likelihood of damage to tissue or the like. Thus, the development of method and system for use in endoscopic surgery of these arcuate bone surfaces and lines of insertion without the disadvantages of known methods and systems would advance the state of the art.

In addition, these known endoscopic techniques and systems have not solved problems of the particular environment of the bone and tissue in the foot. As the human foot is the foundation for most movement, foot pain and discomfort can cripple and seriously reduce such movement. Typically, adverse foot mechanisms coupled with factors such as obesity or various types of traumatic motion can lead to a painful heel syndrome or plantar fasciitis with or without a spur forming on the os calcis. The pain is located at a site where the plantar fascia inserts into the medial and/or lateral tubercle of the os calcis. The insertion site follows an arcuate surface of the os calcis that may have a radial component extending distally form both tubercles with a predilection towards the medial aspect of the foot. Problems arise because the foot is formed from a complex web of compact tissue and bone under considerable tension with no available natural channel. Known endoscopic techniques have advocated forming a channel using sharp dissection or using systems that visualize and blindly resect tissue from one end of a tube. Each of these has the disadvantage of increasing the risk of severing vascular and neural structures around the heel.

Various non-endoscopic surgical techniques have been put forth to relieve the painful heel syndrome. Solutions have ranged from the use of conservative measures such as orthotics to surgical intervention with varying results depending upon the patient and other factors. Surgical intervention includes forming large incisions at or around the heel, surgical exploration or dissection to reach the plantar fascia, release of the plantar fascia from the os calcis, and excision of the degenerated fascial tissue and/or spur. Known methods of surgical intervention have frequent sequela related to the interruption of the anatomy of the heel such as problems from the division of the medial calcaneal nerve causing foot numbness, protracted post operative pain and discomfort, skin incision problems or painful scars on the bottom and medial aspect of the foot, the inability to ambulate, as well as incomplete release of the plantar fascia due to inadequate visualization of the operative site. Thus, a need exists for a simple heel surgery that reduces surgical trauma without lengthening the recovery time.

Thus it is desirable to develop a method and system for endoscopic surgeries targeting the insertion of tissue to bone that reduces the trauma of surgical intervention. The system being able to overcome problems of the prior art to operate with greater precision than known before to minimize scaring, damage to tissues, identify a plurality of tissue and bone structures, and release tissue and/or resect bone. The method and system should be adaptable to foot surgery with increased surgical precision, reduced trauma and damage to the vascular and neural structures for the remedy of plantar fasciitis such as in fasciotomies, fasciectomies, biopsies and resections of a spur on the os calcis. It is desirable to form a system that can perform multiple operations and procedures for the release of the plantar fascia and reduction of bone spurs that reduces recovery time and damage.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for endoscopic surgery at the insertion of tissue to bone that overcomes the many disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for endoscopic surgery tissue and bone of the heel that overcomes many of the disadvantages of known surgical interventions.

An object of the present invention to provide a system of a simple and easily operable construction being capable of use in the various surgical techniques for the remedy of plantar fasciitis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for endoscopic surgery at the insertion of tissue into bone. The system features an improved sleeve member with a portal configured for visualization of the insertion of tissue to bone. In brief, the system for performing endoscopic surgery at the interface of tissue and bone using a sleeve member formed from an elongated tube with open ends and a portal. The tube has slot segments extending inwardly from the open ends and the portal has edge portions interconnected to the slot segments located at a midportion of the elongated tube. The portal forms an expanded surgical site with the advantage of simultaneous access and visualization of the interface of tissue and bone.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the portal with a flange to both push away and hold tissue during the resection of bone.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleeve member where the portal has a measurement system for gauging the reduction of a spur to a desired dimension. The measurement system is advantageous for use in measuring and improving the precision of the resection of tissue and/or bone.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved sleeve member with a portal having instrument and register portions configured for use in operations involving excision of a section of the plantar fascia.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved cutting instruments for division of the plantar fascia with minimal trauma to the underlying tissues. In brief, the instrument has an elongated shaft with proximal and distal ends, a handle attached to the proximal end and a locking device for attaching the handle to the shaft. The distal end has a rounded forward portion extending transverse from the shaft, a cutting portion and an extension at the lower end of the cutting portion for guiding between layers of tissue and palpitating tissue.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an instrument for excision of a section of the plantar fascia with minimal trauma to the underlying tissues. In brief, the excision instrument has an elongated shaft with proximal and distal ends, a handle attached to the proximal end and a locking device for attaching the handle to the shaft. The distal end has an operative portion at the distal end provided with a cutting section and a gathering section. The cutting section has dual knives extending transverse from the shaft forming a slot releasing a section of tissue. The knives are spaced apart and offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. An extension at the lower end of the knives palpitates and guides between layers of tissue. The gathering section has a tooth means positioned within the slot for gathering and removing a released section of tissue.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of determination of entry and exit incision points in the heel for reducing damage to vascular and neural structures.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a marking system for use with a lateral x-ray for precisely determining an entry incision.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insertion system for guiding a pin through the foot.

In brief, a procedure for performing endoscopic surgery in a patient to relieve a painful heel syndrome in a foot generally having a heel with skin, plantar fascia, vascular and neural structures, os calcis bone and muscles including the flexor digitorum brevis, abductus digiti minimi, abductus hallucis. A location and mark for an entry incision is determined on a medial side of the foot for avoiding the vascular and neural structures. Once the entry incision is made, a channel is formed between the os calcis, the plantar fascia, the aponeurotic fibers of the muscles by bluntly separating the plantar fascia from surrounding soft tissue superiorly. The channel is formed to avoid the vascular and neural structures in the heel using a detachable obturator and sleeve member assembly. The assembly is inserted and driven from a medial side to a lateral side of the foot until the assembly tents the skin on the lateral side where an exit incision is made. The sleeve member and obturator are passed through to the lateral side of said foot to position and located a portal of the sleeve member at a predetermined operative site. The predetermined operative site provides simultaneous visualization of the plantar fascia, the os calcis and the line of insertion of the plantar fascia into the os calcis. The obturator is retracted from the sleeve member forming a medial and lateral opening at each end of the sleeve member and leaving the sleeve member located at the predetermined operative site. An endoscope is inserted into the medial opening and an instrument into in the lateral opening. One or more surgical operations are performed at the operative site. The operative site is cleaned, the obturator is reinserted and the obturator and sleeve member retracted. The entry and exit incisions are sutured closed after successful performance of the desired surgical operations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system for endoscopic surgery where tissue inserts into bone to overcome problems of displacement and positioning during insertion. The system features a sleeve member and obturator assembly of an oval shape. The sleeve member features an increased access to an operating site for performing surgery. The obturator features a tip beveled at an angle utilizing the resistance force of soft tissue to position the assembly during insertion.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and attached drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a elevational view illustrating the sleeve member for use in the method and system for endoscopic heel surgery of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the obturator assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3, taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1, is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve member of the present invention;

FIG. 4, taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 1, is a cross-sectional view illustrating the stop member;

FIG. 5, taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 2, is a cross-sectional view of the obturator and central bore;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view illustrating an additional embodiment the sleeve member of the present invention;

FIG. 7, is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 6, illustrating the biopsy and endoscope portions of the present invention;

FIG. 8, is a side view illustrating an additional embodiment of the obturator of the present invention;

FIG. 9, is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8, illustrating the additional embodiment of the obturator of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a blunt tip of the obturator of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a obturator and sleeve member of an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view illustrating a sleeve member for yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13, taken along lines 13--13 of FIG. 12, illustrates a flange for use in reduction of calcaneal spurs;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an instrument for dividing the plantar fascia according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating another instrument for dividing the plantar fascia according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view illustrating a handle configured to receive an instrument according the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view, taken along lines 17--17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating another instrument for excision of the plantar fascia according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an end view illustrating the instrument of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a plantar view of the foot illustrating the method for performing endoscopic heel surgery according to the present invention;

FIGS. 21a and 21b are perspective side views of the foot illustrating the placement of the system for endoscopic heel surgery according to the method of the present invention; FIG. 22 is a side view of the marking system according to the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an end view of the marking system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24a is an elevational view and FIG. 24b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the insertion system of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an side view of the insertion system of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an end view of the insertion system of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the sleeve member of an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28a is a side view and FIG. 28b is a top view of the tip of the obturator;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the obturator taken along lines 29--29 of FIG. 28a;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve member taken along lines 30--30 of FIG. 27; and

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the foot illustrating the method and system of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-26, illustrate the prefered method and system of the present invention for the endoscopic release of the insertion of tissue into bone throughout the body. The present invention is described in the environment for treatment of the painful heel syndrome which can include neuritis, myositis, fasciitis and adventiteal bursitis with or without a calcaneal spur. The endoscopic release of the plantar fascia at its insertion into the os calcis and/or resection of spurs has been successful for relieving pain in the heel. The endoscopic system 20 of the present invention includes generally a cannula or sleeve member 22, trocar or obturator 24, fasciotomy instrument 110, excision instrument 160 and a marking and insertion assembly 230. The sleeve member 22 provides an expanded portal 44 through which multiple surgical procedures such as a fasciotomy, fasciectomy, biopsy and heel spur resection can be performed at arcuate lines of insertion where tissue attaches to bone. Throughout the following detailed description, whenever possible the same reference numerals refer to like elements.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the sleeve member 22 of the present invention includes an elongated tube 34 with open ends 36 and 38, and slot segments 40 and 42 extending inwardly from the open ends 36 and 38, respectively. A portal 44 is located at a mid portion of the sleeve member 22. The portal 44 is connected to slot segments 40 and 42 by tapper portions 46 to thus extend along the length of the elongated tube 34. The portal 44 further includes side edge portions 48 and 50 to form an access 52 to view the heel structures such as the os calcis, neurovascular structures and plantar fascia. The access 52 allows an endoscope placed in, for example, open end 36 to form an image of these heel structures. The access 52 also allows an instrument placed in the other open end 38 for surgical utilization on these heel structures. The portal 44 can have width 56 determined by angle 58 so as to form an expanded view of the insertion of the plantar fascia into the os calcis and other heel structures. The sleeve member 22 should be made to extend from either side of the foot, for example, having a length dimension of 10 cm. The sleeve member 22 can be formed from suitable material such as non-reflective plastic to improve endoscopic imaging and to allow for the use of surgical lasers.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a collar or stop member 60 can be attached to end 36 of the sleeve member 22 to provide a grip when manipulating and as required for instruments or the like. The sleeve member 22 and stop member 60 are configured to slidably receive slidably obturator 24. The stop member 60 includes a guide 62 located on an inner surface 64 of the stop member 60. The guide 62 engages a stem 66 on the obturator 24. The guide 62 and stem 66 are assembled to interlock for insertion into the heel and to indicate the alignment of the sleeve member 22. Recess points 68 on the exterior surface 70 of the stop member 60 can be used advantageously for single handed gripping or for gripping with a ratchet (not shown) to rotate the portal 44 of sleeve member 22 into position adjacent the operative site. The stop member 60 with tab portions 82 can interlock with nibble portions 84 adjacent either open end 36 or 38 of the sleeve member 22. The obturator 24 includes a generally smooth shaft 72 with blunt tapered distal end 74 and handle 76 attached at the proximal end. The sleeve member 22 slidably receives the shaft 72 along the length thereof with the blunt distal end 74 protruding from end 38. In operation, the obturator 24 and sleeve member 22 are inserted through the foot with the portal 44 positioned adjacent the insertion of the plantar fascia into the os calcis. Alternatively, the obturator 24 can have a central bore 86 along the length of the shaft 72 for use in engaging a guide wire 248 of the marking and insertion assembly 230 as described herein and shown in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve member 54 is particularly useful in when performing a fasciectomy or excision of sections of the plantar fascia and in biopsy of tissue. As best shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve member 54 has a non-uniform cross-sectional aperture with an instrument portion 78 and register portion 80. The larger dimension of the instrument portion 78 increases the working area to accommodate excision or biopsy instruments such as a rotary abrader, jaw-like forceps used in sampling tissue or other instruments. The register portion 80 can allow the surgeon to hold the endoscope against the arcuate surface 88 as a means for steadying during resection of tissue or bone spurs using a rasping instrument (not shown). The register portion 80 also provides increased space and maneuverability for instruments when operating on tissue or bone. As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft 72 of obturator 24 can be slidably received in sleeve member 54 having upper protrusion 90 and lower protrusion 92 that engage the instrument and register portions 78 and 80, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the obturator 24 of can be advantageously configured with either a bill shaped dissector tip 94 or a blunt tip 96 at the distal end 74 for separating tissue.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention particularly useful for endoscopic reduction of bone. The sleeve member 22 or 54 can include a flange 98 for engaging tissue along the line of insertion and exposing bone. The flange 98 can be formed at the side edge portions 48 and 50 of the portal 44. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the flange 98 can be formed at the side edge portions 48 and 50 of sleeve member 54 with the flange 98 adjacent instrument portion 78 and spaced apart from register portion 80. A measurement portion 100 can also be used in conjunction with the flange 98 to gauge precisely the reduction or resection of bone. The measurement portion 100 can be formed adjacent side edge portions 48 and 50 that includes a gradient 102 and scale 104. The gradient 102 varies the dimension of the wall 106 forming edge portions 48 and 50 or the wall 108 of the flange 98. The scale 104 can be calibrated with the gradient 102 to provide a reference when reducing bone. The measurement portion 100 can be used advantageously in bone or spur removal to a greater precision than previously known in the art, thereby decreasing trauma and speeding recovery.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 through 17, the interchangeable curing instruments provided with a detachable handle are described. In FIGS. 14 and 15, a fasciotomy instrument 110 for dividing the plantar fascia includes an elongated shaft 112 having opposing proximal and distal ends 114 and 116, respectively. The proximal end 114 can have a notch 118 configured for use with the locking and release feature of the handle 130. The distal end 116 has an active portion 120 configured to improve the surgical operation of releasing the plantar fascia. The active portion 120 includes a hook portion 122 extending transversely from the shaft 112, a knife portion 124 along the interior of the hook portion 122 and a palpitation extension 126. The knife portion 124 can be formed in a concave shape 128 adaptive to center and cut the plantar fascia. The knife portion 124 also can be formed straight and angled relative to the elongated shaft 112 to provide for retrograde division from medial to lateral of the plantar fascia, as shown in FIG. 15. The palpitation extension 126 extends proximally beyond the knife portion 124 and is adapted to hook under and extravasate from the plantar fascia to palpitate the underlying fat pad during division of the plantar fascia.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the instrument handle 130 includes a shell 132, a recess 134 along surface 136 of the shell 132, and a chamber 138. The handle 130 features an activation system 140 for interchanging instruments with the handle 130 such as when used in the release of the plantar fascia. The activation system 140 includes a release member 142 having posts 144 and 146, rocker bar 148 with knob 150 and a spring 152. The release member 142 extends from the chamber 138 through recess 134 configured to receive a button 154 attached to the release member 142. The handle 130 can accept insertion of the shaft 112 through hole 156 and into engagement with knob 150. Likewise, the spring 152 is biased so that depression of button 154 causes the rocker bar 148 to pivot and disengage knob 150 from notch 118 thereby allowing for removal of shaft 112. The instrument handle 130 can be formed from plastic or other suitable materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, an excision instrument 160 useful in performing a fasciectomy is now described. The excision instrument 160 includes an active or operative portion 162 located on the distal end 116 of shaft 112. The operative portion 162 has cutting section 164 and gathering section 166. The cutting section 164 has dual laterally spaced knife portions 168 and 170 extending transverse from the shaft 112. The knife portions 168 and 170 spread slightly at angle 172 for improving the cutting of tissue. The palpitation extensions 174 and 176 extends proximally beyond the knife portions 168 and 170 and is adapted to hook under and extravasate from the plantar fascia to palpitate the underlying fat pad during excision. The gathering section 166 has snagging member 178 that snags and removes cut tissue from the wake of cutting section 164. The excision instrument 160 can be used with sleeve member 22 or within the instrument portion 78 of member 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21a and 21b, a procedure for performing endoscopic heel surgery according to the present invention is described. The patient is placed on the operating table in a prone position having the legs extending from the operating table with the feet dangling downwardly. The foot 180 is locally anesthetized and the skin cleaned for forming incisions. Alternatively, the knee can be flexed elevating the foot 180 with respect to the operating table to minimize impedance from the other leg and to manipulate the foot to substantiate the release of the plantar fascia. The sleeve member 22 or 54 is driven into the foot 180 from a medial aspect 182 to a lateral aspect 184 of heel 186. The foot 180 is comprised of a web of compacted overlapping tissues such as, for example, plantar fascia 188 attached to the os calcis 190 at a line of insertion 192. At the line of insertion 192, a spur 194 can develop on the os calcis 190 from the pull and degeneration of plantar fascial tissue 188. A fat pad 196 overlies the os calcis 190 and has nerve branch 198 and vascular branch 200 interwoven therebetween. The plantar fascia 188 overlies muscles 202 including a flexor digitorum brevis group 204, abductus hallucis group 206 and abductus digiti minimi group 208. The sleeve member 22 is positioned distal of the os calcis 190 and between the dorsal underlying plantar fascia 188 and superior muscles 202 avoiding the nerve and vascular branches 198 and 200, respectively. The portal 44 is positioned plantarly and superior to the plantar fascia 188 and distal of the os calcis 190 to provide access and visualization of the line of insertion 192. Visualization can be made with a standard 30 degree angulated 4.0 nm arthroscopic camera system 222. The portal 44 provides clear assessment of the plantar fascia 188, os calcis 190 at the line of insertion 192. Assessment of the belly and interface of the muscles 202 such as the abductus hallucis and digiti minimi muscles 206 and 208 and the nerve and vascular branches 198 and 200 also can be identified. The camera system 222 is introduced through the open end 36 on the medial aspect 182 of the foot 180. The other open end 38 is used as a working portal for the introduction of various surgical instruments to operate caudally on the line of insertion 192 such as for the transection of the plantar fascia 188 and removal of spur 194 on the os calcis 190. Once in positioned adjacent the line of insertion 192 of the plantar fascia 188 into the os calcis 190, an endoscope can be inserted into open end 36 and an instrument into the other open end 38. A first and second surgical operation is performed at the operative site. The obturator 24 is reinserted and the sleeve member 22 and this assembly is retracted while forcing plantarly the tip 94 or 96 of the obturator 24 again substantiating the complete division of the plantar fascia with the tip 94 or 96 coursing the fat pad 196 underneath the plantar fascia 188. The operative site is cleaned and lavaged with copious amounts of sterile saline. The entry and exit incisions 218 and 220 can be sutured closed with a solitary suture and dressed with a dry sterile compression dressing after successful performance of the desired surgical operations.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the fasciotomy instrument 110 can be used to divide caudally the plantar fascia 188 from the medial aspect 182 to lateral aspect 184 with visualization directed via the camera system 222. Direction of the medial to lateral division is made in the caudal approach to avoid damage to the nerve and vascular branches 198 and 200 located on the medial aspect 182 of the heel 186. Alternatively, the fasciectomy instrument 160 can be used to excise caudally a section of plantar facial tissue 188 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. Extravasation of the palpitation extension 126 from the plantar fascia 188 and fat pad 196 can be felt through the shaft 112 is an indication of the release of the plantar fascia 188. As was known in conventional surgical interventions, the release of the plantar fascia could be externally substantiated only by palpitation of the dorsal skin or flexure of the foot 180. Thus, the palpitation portion 126 has the advantage of providing an indication and feel of the release or total division of the plantar fascia 188 during transection. In addition, as the plantar fascia 188 is a thick tissue, the use of the expanded portal 44 has the advantages of enabling visualization of the deep cut apex of thick tissue.

In order to position sleeve member 22, a location 210 on the medial aspect 182 of the heel 186 is determined to avoid damage to the nerve branch 198 and vascular branch 200. The location 210 can be determined using a non-weight bearing lateral radiograph of the foot 180 and the marking system 230 described herein. The lateral radiograph can be used to measure and triangulate the distance between edge 212 and tuberoscopies 214 and 216 of the os calcis 190. An entry incision 218 is made on the medial aspect 182 of the heel 186 at the determined location 210, as shown in FIG. 21a. The size of the entry incision 218 can vary, for example, incisions ranging from 2 cm to 4 cm. A channel between tissue and bone can be formed by driving the obturator 24 and the sleeve member 22 assembly through the entry incision 218 from medial to lateral until the surgeon can see tenting of the skin on the lateral aspect 184 of foot 180, as shown in FIG. 21b. The tip 94 or 96 forms the channel by bluntly separating the plantar fascia 188 from muscles 202 and other surrounding soft tissue both superiorly and inferiorly. An exit incision 220 is made at the location of the tented skin with the assembly passed through the foot. The portal 44 should be positioned superior to the plantar fascia 188 and adjacent the os calcis 190 before removing the obturator 24. Thus, an advantage is that the nerve and vascular branches 198 and 200 can be visualized and avoided.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the location 210 for insertion of the obturator 24 and the sleeve member 22 assembly can be determined before surgery by visualizing using a lateral radiograph or x-ray of the foot 180 to identify the location of tuberoscopies 214 and 216 or spur 194 such as the distal tubercle margin of the os calcis 190. The marking and insertion system 230 of the present invention can be use in conjunction with the lateral radiograph for precise insertion of the assembly avoiding damage to neurovascular structures 198 and 200. The system 230 includes a heel holding member 232, location member 234 and insertion member 236. The heel holding member 232 can attach and use the location member 234 for non-sterile or non-surgical site use to determine location 210 prior to surgery. The heel holding member 232 can then attach and use the insertion member 236 in the surgical setting. The location member 234 is calibrated correspondingly with the insertion member 236 so that the location 210 determined by the location member 234 has a corresponding location on the insertion member 236. The system 230 can be formed from suitable materials such as a radiograph opaque plastic or the like. The generally L-shaped heel holding member 232 has a base portion 238 releasably attached to an end portion 240 to keep the foot in a neutral position such as 90 degrees. The end portion 240 can be attached to either side of the base portion 238 using thumb screws 242 allowing adaptation of either a fight or left foot. Likewise, location member 234 can be attached to the base portion 238 using thumb screws 242 and allows interchanging the location member 234 for either foot. Both the location member 234 includes a reference scale 244 laminated or otherwise disposed within the opaque plastic of the location member 234 to superimpose or capture the reference scale 244 on the lateral radiograph for use in marking the location 210 for making the entry incision 218. As shown in FIGS. 24a and 24b, 25 and 26, the insertion member 236 includes a grid portion 246 corresponding to the reference scale 244 for use in inserting a guide wire or pin 248. It is important to measure the distance between the edge of the skin on the heel 186 such as the skin abutting the end portion 240 the distal edge of the os calcis 190. Thus, the coordinates of the determined location 210 on the lateral radiograph can be transferred to the grid portion 246 to insert guide wire 248. In order to prepare the foot 180 for the lateral radiograph, the foot is positioned in the heel holding member 232 with the medial aspect abutting the location member 234.

As shown in FIGS. 24a and 24b, through 26, the location member 234 is interchanged with the insertion member 236 at the time of surgery. The insertion member 236 includes elongated guide tubes 250 arranged and calibrated to correspond to the grid portion 246. The guide wire 248 is inserted into the guide tube 250 corresponding to location 210. The elongated guide tubes 250 provide for insertion of the pin 248 from the medial 182 to lateral 184. Once through the foot, the system 230 using the insertion member 236 can be removed from the medial extension of guide wire 248 thereby leaving the guide wire in the foot. The obturator 24 and sleeve member 24 can use the guide wire 248 as to guide the medial to lateral separation of tissue. Likewise, the bore 86 can be configured to receive the guide wire 248 and follow the predefined path of guide wire 248. Once the sleeve member 24 or 54 is properly positioned, the guide wire 248 can be removed from the lateral side 184 of the foot 180. Thus, the marking and insertion system 230 of the present invention can be used advantageously to locate more precisely the entry incision 218 and avoid damage to neurovascular structures 198 and 200, and likewise be used adaptively to insert guide pin 248 through the foot 180.

FIGS. 27-31 illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention having features similar to the sleeve members 22 and 54 as described herein. The system assembly includes a sleeve member 260 and an obturator 270. Referring to FIG. 27, the sleeve member 260 is formed from tube 34 having open ends 36 and 38. The sleeve member 260 has instrument and register portions 78 and 80 connected by side portions 262 and 264 extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube, thereby forming a smooth oval shape for atraumatic insertion, as shown in FIG. 30. The instrument portion 78 has slot segments 40 and 42 extending from each open end 36 and 38, respectively, and a portal 44 located at a midportion of the sleeve member 260. Tapered portions 46 connect the portal 44 and the slot segments 40 and 42. The side edge portions 48 and 50 can incorporate the flange 98, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The sleeve member can have stem segments 266 and 268 adjacent end 36 for adaptively locking to a collar or stop member 272. The sleeve member 260 can be made from suitable materials such as plastics, and made disposible as is known in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 28a, 28b and 29, an obturator 270 is configured congruently to pass into the interior of the sleeve member 260 having one end configured to abut stop member 272 and the other end exposing a tip 274. The tip 274 is beveled at an angle 276 so as to use tissue tension sliding along edge 278 for guiding the sleeve and obturator assemby during insertion. The tip 274 can be used advantageously during insertion to keep the surface 280 against a bone surface, for example, an inferior surface of the calcaneus. Using this method, the bevel of tip 274 is positioned distal or toward the toes and passed medial to lateral through the foot. The tension of tissue pushes the instrument portion 78 along a line of insertion on the inferior surface of the calcaneous, as illustrated in FIG. 31. The upper edge 280 of the tip 274 can be tapered 282 which resonates from contact with an inferior bone surface giving the surgeon positive feel in the obturator 270. The increased accuracy of this procedure minimizes distal displacement and gives smooth positioning further reducing damage to neurovascular structures. Access of the plantar fascia through portal 44 can now be accomplished with minimum time devoted to turning or repositioning. In the event that a spur exists, excision at the line of insertion can be equally accomplished.

Considering the method described herein, the oval shaped system can be used to guide and position during insertion and while in the body during a predetermined surgical procedure. As the assembly is inserted, the side portions 284 and 286 of the obturator 270 and the sides 262 and 264 of sleeve member 260 and the flattened fin edge 288 allow for atraumatic passageway between tissues and bone. The upper surface 280 can abut a bone surface having the bevel providing the positioning force. The open end 38 of sleeve member 260 can be beveled at a predetermined angle for reducing tissue damage at insertion, and for increasing instrument 292 maneuverability and deflection at open end 38, as shown in FIG. 30. Once the obturator 270 is removed, the side portions 262 and 264 press against soft tissue and maintain position after insertion having the resultant force oppose other displacement forces or the like.

Technically, the system can maintain more pressure with a corresponding increase in the tension of the plantar fascia. The system can further be inserted and positioned at the spur having the operative site within the portal 44. The oval shaped fin can be rotated thereby increasing pressure on tissue such as the plantar fascia. The fin can abut the inferior surface of bone. The forces applied by soft tissue on the side portions 262 and 264 have a resulting force opposed to displacement forces such as distal displacement from a line of insertion. In the heel, the edge 278 is beveled so as to utilize insertion forces as these tend to push the sleeve member 260 and obturator 270 assembly aft against an inferior surface of a bone or cleft 288 formed in the calcaneous, for example, medial to lateral insertion as shown in FIG. 31. The tip 274 takes advantage of soft tissue and becomes a device to orient insert into the cleft 288. The upper edge 280 of the tip 274 can provide for palpitating the calcaneous while having guiding performed by the opposite edge 278. The resulting forces exerted by soft tissue oppose distal displacement of the system at insertion and of the sleeve member 260 when the obturator 270 is removed.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.