Abstract: [Objective] To explore the effect of gastrocnemius tenolysis in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. [Methods] From April 2018 to March 2019, 40 cases of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis treated in our department. 20 patients in the operation group were treated with gastrocnemius tenolysis, and 20 patients in the conservative group were treated with extracorporeal shock wave combined with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The "first step" VAS score, AOFAS score and ankle dorsiflexion angle were compared between the two groups before treatment, one month after treatment and at the last follow-up. [Results] All 40 patients completed the routine treatment successfully. There were no complications such as nerve injury and complex local pain in the operation group. At the last follow-up, there were no complications such as foot arch collapse and heel lifting force decrease. One month after treatment, the "first step" VAS pain score and AOFAS score of the operation group and the conservative group were better than those before treatment, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the "first step" VAS pain score and AOFAS score of the operation group at the last follow-up were significantly better than those of the conservative group (P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the ankle dorsiflexion angle of the operation group was significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.05); the ankle dorsiflexion angle of the conservative group was not significantly different from that before treatment (P>0.05); the ankle dorsiflexion angle of the operation group at the last follow-up was significantly higher than that of the conservative group (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Gastrocnemius tenolysis in the treatment of unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis can significantly reduce the pain, increase the ankle extension angle, the clinical effect is satisfactory.