Between 1984 and 1990, 172 plantar incisions were used in 137 patients. Eighty-nine of these patients returned for a personal interview and examination, twenty-six were interviewed by telephone, and twenty-two were lost to follow-up. Of the eighty-nine patients (124 incisions) who returned for follow-up examination at an average of twenty-five months (range, six to seventy-seven months), eighty-five (96 per cent) were pleased with the result of the plantar incision. None of these patients had altered their activities, and only three had modified their selection of footwear. Of the twenty-six patients who were interviewed by telephone, twenty-five (96 per cent) were pleased with the result. Thus, 110 (96 per cent) of 115 patients (150 plantar incisions) were satisfied with the result. The plantar incision may be used for resection of an interdigital neuroma (primary or recurrent); drainage of an abscess; removal of a foreign body; sesamoidectomy; lateral release of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; or excision of an invaginated keratotic plug (intractable plantar keratosis), a metatarsal head, the plantar aspect of a metatarsal head, or an intermetatarsal bursa.