Minimally invasive technique for performing plantar fasciotomies and surgical instrument for use in such a technique

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a clamp having a handle with a pair of substantially parallel prongs or tines extending from the handle, all formed as a unitary body or article of manufacture. The handle and prongs define a channel to receive a knife. The knife includes a handle, a scalpel, and an extension arm coupling the scalpel to the handle. The clamp defines a minor image about a central axis. In this way, the surgeon need not concern himself with whether the knife is oriented properly within the channel. Also, the extension arm of the knife includes graduations to assist the surgeon in predetermining precisely the distance of cut in using the instrument. The upper prong of the clamp includes a downwardly extending capture pad having a bottom surface substantially parallel to the inner surface of the lower prong. The upper and lower prongs define a mouth, having a continuously increasing distance between upper and lower prongs so that the clamp is guided onto the tissue target of choice in a non-invasive manner.