Richer L, Fortin E, Gagnon G, Ngomo S, Fernandes KBP, Cortis C, Sobczak S, da Silva RA. Impact of plantar fasciitis on postural control and walking in young middle-aged adults.
Foot (Edinb) 2022;
53:101951. [PMID:
36463613 DOI:
10.1016/j.foot.2022.101951]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To assess if plantar fasciitis has an impact on postural control and walking pattern from gait analysis across different experimental conditions.
METHODS
Thirty participants (n = 15 with plantar fasciitis) performed 5 different balance tasks on a force platform, and the center of pressure (COP) was computed for postural control analysis. Participants were also asked to walk at 3 different speeds on a gait analysis system to compute the spatial-temporal parameters. Clinical foot measurements (pain, mobility) were also collected through all participants.
RESULTS
Clinical foot measurements showed no significant difference between the two groups; except for pain palpation in plantar fasciitis group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups for COP area displacement sway (p < 0.01; d = 0.08) and velocity (p = 0.022; d = 0.04), where the fasciitis group reported poorer postural control than control mainly during more challenging balance tasks (semi-tandem, unipodal). Plantar fasciitis group reported a decrease of gait velocity (p < 0.01; d = 0.12), step length (p < 0.01; d = 0.16) and step width (p < 0.01; d = 0.18) when compared to the healthy group across walking speed tests.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with plantar fasciitis report poor postural control and changes in walking pattern across three speeds performance.
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