Plantar fasciopathy: revisiting the risk factors

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing extracorporeal shockwave therapy and physiotherapy in the treatment of acute plantar fasciitis

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate whether the addition of early extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) to physiotherapy improved outcomes in patients with acute plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Eligibility criteria were patients ≥21 years old presenting from April 2017 to November 2019 with untreated plantar fasciitis for <1 month with no prior physiotherapy. Exclusion criteria included history of plantar fasciitis, calcaneal fractures, chronic steroid use, pregnancy, chronic limb injuries and risks for venous thromboembolism. Patients were randomized using a random number generator into either Group A (ESWT + physiotherapy) or Group B (physiotherapy only). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were measured at baseline and 3 months. T-tests were performed for statistical significance.

RESULTS

46 patients were eligible for the trial. 10 were lost to follow up. 15 in Group A and 21 in Group B were treated and assessed. Mean age was 51.6. Baseline VAS scores were Group A (5.5 ± 2.3) and Group B (6.1 ± 2.1) (p = 0.451). There was no significant difference in 3-month VAS scores between Group A (4.7 ± 2.2) and Group B (5.2 ± 2.6) (p = 0.543). Baseline AOFAS scores were Group A (72.7 ± 12.8) and Group B (73.9 ± 14.2) (p = 0.801). There was also no significant difference in 3-month AOFAS scores between Group A (76.7 ± 5.1) and Group B (77.2 ± 13.4) (p = 0.876). No significant difference in SF-36 scores was seen at 3 months between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The addition of early ESWT to physiotherapy did not result in better outcomes compared to physiotherapy alone for acute plantar fasciitis.

Comparison of balance performance, gait, foot function, lower extremity biomechanical alignment and muscle strength in individuals with unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Given the pedal variations in biomechanical effects, chronicity, treatment implications, and foot function and alignment in plantar fasciitis, we aim to compare key parameters between individuals with unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

Thirty individuals (15 unilateral and 15 bilateral) were included in the study. Static balance was evaluated with the Single-Leg Stance Test, dynamic balance with The Star Balance Excursion Test, gait with OneStep 3.20 mobile software, foot function with The Foot Function Index (FFI), biomechanical alignment with medial longitudinal arch height, Q angle, and lower extremity muscle length, and muscle strength with a Hand-held Dynamometer.

RESULTS

The unilateral group exhibited superior performance in unaffected side static and posterolateral dynamic balance (p = 0.037; p = 0.039), and in affected side posterior dynamic balance (p = 0.041). Gait double support asymmetry was better in the unilateral group (p = 0.003). Pain, disability, and activity limitation were more pronounced in the bilateral group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in medial arch height, Q angle, and muscle shortness/flexibility (p > 0.05). The unilateral group had more strength in the affected side's Gluteus Medius and Adductor muscles (p = 0.046; p = 0.011), as well as in the unaffected side's Quadriceps, Iliopsoas, Gluteus Medius, and Adductor muscles (p = 0.018; p = 0.026; p = 0.006; p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Balance, foot function and muscle strength were better in individuals with unilateral plantar fasciitis. We think more specific treatments should be included in the management of individuals with bilateral plantar fasciitis aiming to improve balance, foot function and muscle strength.

Short-term load restriction after autologous whole-blood injection enhances early recovery in Plantar Fasciitis: A prospective randomized single-blinded trial

This study evaluates the effect of short-term load restriction following autologous whole-blood injection (AWBI) in plantar fasciitis patients. Given that AWBI induces an inflammatory healing response, restricting weight-bearing in the initial phase may optimize recovery. A prospective, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 149 patients unresponsive to two months of conservative treatment. Patients were randomized into two groups: a load restriction group (n = 75) instructed to avoid weight-bearing for three days, and a non-load restriction group (n = 74) who resumed normal walking immediately. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores and Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) were assessed at baseline, days 3, 30, 90, and 1 year post-treatment. Analgesic use and return to daily activities were also recorded. At day 3, the load restriction group reported significantly lower VAS pain scores (8.23±0.7 vs. 8.49±0.5, p = 0.010) and higher PPT values (238.9 ± 36.9 vs. 216.4 ± 45.4, p = 0.001) than the non-restricted group. At day 30, these differences remained significant (VAS: 5.53±0.9 vs. 5.99±0.9, p = 0.002; PPT: 432.6 ± 43.5 vs. 411.4 ± 58.8, p = 0.014). The load restriction group required fewer analgesics (p < 0.001) and returned to daily activities sooner (4.2 ± 0.4 vs. 5.9 ± 1.5 days, p < 0.001). By day 90 and 1 year, no significant differences remained. A three-day weight-bearing restriction post-AWBI significantly enhances early pain relief and functional recovery, reduces analgesic dependence, and accelerates return to daily activities. Given its ease of implementation and cost-free nature, this approach can be readily integrated into routine clinical practice for plantar fasciitis patients undergoing AWBI to fasten recovery.

Burden and risk factors for plantar fasciopathy in the military population from 2006 to 2015: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Ankle and foot injuries are highly prevalent in the US Armed Forces, incurring medical and personnel costs for the Department of Defense. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the burden and risk factors of plantar fasciopathy (PF) in the US Military.

METHODS

The Defense Medical Epidemiology Database identified all diagnosed PF cases in military service members from 2006 to 2015. A custom spreadsheet calculated incidence of PF and relative risk between sexes, military occupations and ranks. Relative risk of injury per demographic category (sex, age, service branch, rank and year) was also calculated.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of PF from 2006 to 2015 was 12.85 per 1000 person-years, affecting 176 601 service members. 37 939 officers incurred PF at a rate of 17.65 per 1000 person-years (male 18.20 per 1000 person-years; female 14.80 per 1000 person-years). There were 116 122 enlisted personnel with PF that occurred at a rate of 12.22 per 1000 person-years (male 12.07 per 1000 person-years; female 13.22 per 1000 person-years). When compared with ground and naval gunfire officers, all officer specialties except for aviation and logistics had significantly higher risk of PF; aviation (relative risk (RR): 0.83, p<0.001) and logistics (RR: 0.94, p<0.001) had significantly lower risk. Regarding enlisted specialties, when compared with infantry, all occupations had significantly increased risk for PF except for Special Operations Forces (RR: 0.94, p=0.13). There were multiple associated factors identified with PF, including female sex, age >30, junior enlisted rank, a variety of military occupations and service in the Army.

CONCLUSIONS

PF was common in the US military during the study period, with multiple salient risk factors identified. These findings highlight the need for prophylactic interventions for populations with the greatest risk.

Effects on pain of kinesiology tape in patients with plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled study

PURPOSE.

Plantar fasciitis is the most frequent cause of heel pain. Custom-made plantar supports are a common treatment solution, while the application of kinesiology tape (KT) can be an effective measure to alleviate pain. The objective was to evaluate the effects of KT on the pain of patients with plantar fasciitis.

METHODS.

Randomized controlled trial including participants with plantar fasciitis. There was an experimental group (n = 17), whose participants underwent a KT treatment, and a control (sham tape) group (n = 17). The pain, measured with a visual analog scale (VAS), was the primary outcome and was assessed daily until the fifth day of wearing the tape and 24 h after removing it. Inferential statistics looked for time, group, and time per group differences with CI at 95%.

RESULTS.

The greatest between-group VAS difference was 3.5 points, and occurred at the 2-day follow-up assessment. Then, pain differences decreased over time until the last assessment point. Statistically significant time, group, and time*group differences were found with p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION.

This study supports that KT is effective in reducing pain in the short term in patients with plantar fasciitis, and more effective than a sham intervention with tape.

Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Treating Plantar Fasciitis

Introduction Plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, is often treated conservatively. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a promising treatment option. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRP injections for plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of autologous PRP injections delivered at the plantar fascia origin in reducing pain (measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain intensity score) in patients with plantar fasciitis. Materials and methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Patients with plantar fasciitis, a VAS pain score ≥ 7, and failure of conservative treatment were included. A single injection of autologous PRP was administered to the plantar fascia. Pain reduction was assessed using the VAS score at a 12-week follow-up. Result The study included 163 patients. Success was achieved in 80.3% of cases, showing that autologous PRP injection resulted in significant pain improvement in patients with plantar fasciitis (p≤0.05). An increased likelihood of successful treatment was observed in individuals with symptoms lasting less than 12 months. No other variables (gender, age group, residence, literacy) significantly impacted treatment efficacy. Conclusion Autologous PRP injections may be a promising treatment option for plantar fasciitis, particularly when administered early. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore optimal patient selection criteria.

First metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion resistance in individuals with plantar fasciopathy

INTRODUCTION

Plantar fasciopathy is a common foot-related musculoskeletal disorder. It has been hypothesized that this disorder could be linked to a dysfunctional windlass mechanism. However, no study to date has quantified this link to validate or refute this hypothesis. The first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MPJ) dorsiflexion resistance test is a reliable test to evaluate the force required to initiate the windlass mechanism. Comparing the results of this test in individuals with and without plantar fasciopathy will allow for a better understanding of the relationship between plantar fasciopathy and the windlass mechanism. Thus, this study aimed to compare 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance in individuals with plantar fasciopathy and healthy controls. Additionally, this study aimed to explore the correlations between 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance and other commonly used foot orthopedic tests, specifically the supination resistance test and the Foot Posture Index.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty participants with plantar fasciopathy and 20 healthy controls were recruited in this case-control study. First MPJ dorsiflexion resistance was quantified and compared between groups and between feet using a repeated measures ANOVA with one within-subject factor with two levels and one between-subject factor with two levels. It was also correlated with supination resistance and the Foot Posture Index.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance between injured and healthy feet as well as control and plantar fasciopathy groups. There was a moderate to strong correlation (r = 0.674 to 0.891) between 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance and supination resistance in both groups. There was no significant correlation between 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance and the Foot Posture Index.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of alterations in 1st MPJ dorsiflexion resistance among individuals with plantar fasciopathy implies a potential need to reconsider the biomechanical model, proposing that a dysfunctional windlass mechanism is associated with the development of plantar fasciopathy, may need reconsideration.

Comparison of Structural Diagnosis and Management (SDM) approach and MyoFascial Release (MFR) for improving plantar heel pain, ankle range of motion and disability: A randomized clinical trial

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Structural Diagnosis and Management (SDM) approach with Myofascial Release (MFR) in improving plantar heel pain, ankle range of motion, and disability. [Subjects] Sixty-four subjects, aged 30-60 years, with a diagnosis of plantar heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or calcaneal spur by a physician according to ICD-10, were equally allocated to the MFR (n = 32) and SDM (n = 32) groups by hospital randomization and concealed allocation. [Methods] In this assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial, the control group performed MFR to the plantar surface of the foot, triceps surae, and deep posterior compartment calf muscles, while the experimental group performed a multimodal approach utilizing the SDM concept for 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Both groups also received strengthening exercises, ice compression, and ultrasound therapy. Pain, activity limitations and disability were assessed as primary outcomes using the Foot Function Index (FFI) and Range of motion (ROM) assessment of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors using a universal goniometer. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Foot Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and a 10-point manual muscle testing process for the ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors. [Results] Both MFR and SDM groups exhibited significant improvements from baseline in all outcome variables, including pain, activity level, disability, range of motion, and function after the 12-week intervention period (p < .05). The SDM group showed more improvements than MFR for FFI pain (p < .01), FFI activity (p < .01), FFI (p < .01) and FADI (p = <.01). [Conclusion] Both MFR and SDM approaches are effective in reducing pain, improving function, ankle range of motion, and reducing disability in plantar heel pain, however, the SDM approach may be a preferred treatment option.

Ultrasound-guided procedures for plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical study

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroid injections are commonly used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. In recent years, ultrasound-guided multipuncture treatment of the fascia has been described in the literature. Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two techniques in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

The outcomes achieved over 120 days following the use of these techniques to treat plantar fasciitis were examined. A total of 81 patients were randomly selected for the study; 41 were treated with ultrasound-guided multipuncture and 40 with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection. Clinical examinations and ultrasound assessments were performed before treatment and at 30, 60 and 120 days post-treatment. Clinical assessments included the use of a visual analog scale (VAS) to record pain and the Foot Function Index (FFI) to evaluate function. Ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the plantar fascia.

RESULTS

Both the ultrasound-guided multipuncture and corticosteroid injection techniques were associated with significant functional and echographic improvements at 4 months post-treatment (P < 0.001). Pain did not improve significantly after 120 days with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection, whereas significant pain reduction was observed with ultrasound-guided multipuncture.

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid injection provides better short-term results in terms of VAS pain and FFI scores. However, ultrasound-guided multipuncture shows superior outcomes in VAS pain and FFI scores at 120 days.

Effects of cassava wax bath as a new therapeutic approach on patients with plantar fasciitis: a double-blind, randomised clinical trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach (cassava wax bath: CWB) compared with usual care (paraffin wax bath: PWB) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). Forty patients with PF were recruited into the study (CWB group, n = 20, PWB group, n = 20). Patients in the CWB group received cassava wax bath and patients in the PWB group received usual care (PWB). The primary outcome was pain intensity (PI). The secondary outcomes were the pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain frequency (PFr), foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM). All outcomes were assessed before and after the five-week intervention, one month, and three months after the intervention period. After the intervention, statistically significant improvement was found in all outcomes after the intervention period and during the one month and three months follow-up study in both groups (P < 0.05). For all outcomes, no between-group differences were seen at any post-assessment time-point, except for PFr (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that CWB was significantly superior to PWB in reducing PFr. For the other outcomes, CWB and PWB were both equally effective in reducing PI and increasing PPT, FAAM, and ADROM in patients with PF. Therefore, CWB might be considered as a novel useful therapeutic option for PF patients.Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) (Identification number: TCTR20220128002), First posted date: 28/01/2022.

Small needle-knife versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of chronic heel pain among adults. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is the recommended in the current guidelines, and the small needle-knife yields acceptable clinical effects for musculoskeletal pain.

Objective

To systematically compare the efficacy of the small needle-knife versus ESWT for the treatment of PF.

Methods

The present review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (i.e., "PROSPERO", CRD42023448813). Two of the authors searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the small needle-knife versus ESWT for the treatment of PF, and collected outcomes including curative effect, pain intensity, and function. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook Risk of Bias tool and the quality of the RCTs was evaluated according to the Jadad Scale. The same authors independently performed data extraction from the included studies, which were imported into Review Manager version 5.4.1(Copenhagen: Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) for meta-analysis.

Results

The initial literature search retrieved 886 studies, of which 6 were eventually included in this study. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in curative effect (OR = 1.87; 95 % CI [0.80, 4.37], p = .15) nor short-term pain improvement (MD = 2.20; 95 % CI [-2.77, 7.16], p = .39) between the small needle-knife and ESWT. However, the small needle-knife may be more effective than ESWT for pain improvement in mid-term (MD = 9.11; 95 % CI [5.08, 13.15], p＜ .00001) and long-term follow-ups (MD = 10.71; 95 % CI [2.18, 19.25], p＜ .00001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the small needle-knife combined with a corticosteroid injection yielded a statistically significant difference in reduction of pain intensity at all follow-ups (MD = 4.84; 95 % CI [1.33, 8.36], p = .007; MD = 10.99; 95 % CI [8.30, 13.69], p＜ .00001; MD = 17.87; 95 % CI [15.26, 20.48], p＜ .00001). Meta-analysis revealed no statistical differences in short-term (MD = 1.34; 95 % CI [-3.19, 5.86], p = .56) and mid-term (MD = 2.75; 95 % CI [-1.21, 6.72], p = . 17) functional improvement between the needle-knife and ESWT groups. In a subgroup analysis of moderate-quality studies, the small needle-knife demonstrated a favorable effect on mid-term functional improvement (MD = 1.58; 95 % CI [0.52, 2.65], p = .004), with low heterogeneity (χ2 = 0.77, p = .038, I2 = 0 %). Conclusion: Pain reduction and functional improvement are essential for the treatment of PF. Therefore, treatment using the small needle-knife may be superior to ESWT. Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis may provide alternative treatment options for patients with PF as well as more reliable, evidence-based recommendations supporting use of the small needle-knife.

Changes in gait pattern and quality of life of adolescents with flexible flat foot after Calcaneal Lengthening Osteotomy

BACKGROUND

Calcaneal Lengthening Osteotomy is a surgical technique to correct flexible flat foot deformities in patients who did not show any change in their symptoms after conservative treatment. In this study, the effects of CLO on the kinematic and kinetic changes of gait was analyzed and the clinical and quality of life improvements in children treated by CLO for moderate to severe symptomatic flexible flat foot deformities were assessed.

METHODS

Participants were seven adolescents (13 feet) with symptomatic FFF who underwent during 2019-2022 and seven (10 feet) healthy children as control group. Three items were evaluated in each foot before and after surgery including: 1. Clinical examination 2.quality of life (using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4 questionnaire) 3. Gait analysis (Vicon motion systems, Oxford metrics Inc., UK). Also, the kinetic and kinematic analysis between patients and healthy groups were compared.

RESULTS

Kinematic results of control was significantly better than FFF group. Ankle range of motion(32.94 ± 13.39 compared to 32.94 ± 13.39,P-Value:0.01),foot progression angle (-9.26 ± 7.67 compared to -16.07 ± 9.00,P-Value:0.01),and internal rotation of ankle was higher in control group compared to FFF. FFF patients demonstrated improvement in kinematic results after CLO surgery. Foot progression angle was improved after surgery (-11.31 ± 6.07 compared to -16.19 ± 7.06, P-value:0.00), maximum plantar flexion decreased after CLO surgery due to achil tendon procedure during CLO surgery. Kinetic results of FFF patients showed significant increase in ankle Power in coronal and transverse plane, Also knee and hip power showed similar results.Quality of life parameters showed significant improve in all parameters (Physical,Social, emotional and school function), Also ADKE and ADKF improved after surgery.

CONCLUSION

CLO surgery significantly improved patients' quality of life of patients with symptomatic FFF. Also, kinetic results showed improvement in some parameters of gait results after CLO surgery. Thus, our study suggested CLO surgery as an excellent surgical option for symptomatic FFF.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided needle tenotomy for treatment of chronic tendinopathy and fasciopathy: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To systematically assess the efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided needle tenotomy (PUNT) in the treatment of chronic tendinopathy and fasciopathy.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed with the following search terms: tendinopathy, tenotomy, needling, Tenex, fasciotomy, ultrasound-guided, and percutaneous. Inclusion criteria consisted of original studies evaluating pain or function improvement after PUNT. Meta-analyses investigating standard mean differences were performed to assess the pain and function improvement.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies with 1674 participants (1876 tendons) were enrolled in this article. Of which 29 articles were included in meta-analysis and the remaining 9 articles without enough numeric data were included in descriptive analysis. PUNT significantly alleviated pain with the standard mean difference of 2.5 (95% CI: 2.0-3.0; p < 0.05), 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8-2.7; p < 0.05), and 3.6 (95% CI: 2.8-4.5; p < 0.05) points in short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-up intervals, respectively. It was also associated with marked improvement in function with 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1-1.8; p < 0.05), 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3-2.2; p < 0.05), and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.6-2.6; p < 0.05) points, respectively in short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

PUNT improved pain and function at short-term intervals with persistent results on intermediate- and long-term follow-ups. PUNT can be considered an appropriate minimally invasive treatment for chronic tendinopathy with a low rate of complications and failures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Tendinopathy and fasciopathy are two common musculoskeletal complaints that can cause prolonged pain and disability. PUNT as a treatment option could improve pain intensity and function.

KEY POINTS

• The best improvement in pain and function was achieved after the first 3 months following PUNT and was continued to the intermediate- and long-term follow-ups. • No significant difference was found between different tenotomy methods in terms of pain and function improvement. • PUNT is a minimally invasive procedure with promising results and low complication rates for treatments of chronic tendinopathy.

Cinderella's misery: The wretched human foot

Human foot has outdistanced a long way from climbing to trees to walking all day long, within a relatively short period. Today, we are suffering from a number of aching foot problems and deformities as compromises to transition from quadripedalism to bipedalism, which is perhaps the sole derivative of the modern human being. In today's modern environment, the choice between being chic or healthy is a difficult decision to make, consequently our feet ache. To cope with such evolutionary mismatches we only need to adopt our ancestors' receipt: wearing minimal shoes, walking and squatting as much as we can.

Predicting the outcome of plantar heel pain in adults: a systematic review of prognostic factors

BACKGROUND

Plantar Heel Pain (PHP) is a common disorder with many treatment pathways and is not self-limiting, hence prognostic information concerning recovery or recalcitrance is needed to guide practice. In this systematic review, we investigate which prognostic factors are associated with favourable or unfavourable PHP outcomes.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and PubMed electronic bibliographic databases were searched for studies evaluating baseline patient characteristics associated with outcomes in prospective longitudinal cohorts or after specific interventions. Cohort, clinical prediction rule derivation and single arms of randomised controlled trials were included. Risk of bias was evaluated with method-specific tools and evidence certainty with GRADE.

RESULTS

The review included five studies which evaluated 98 variables in 811 participants. Prognostic factors could be categorised as demographics, pain, physical and activity-related. Three factors including sex and bilateral symptoms (HR: 0.49[0.30-0.80], 0.33[0.15-0.72], respectively) were associated with a poor outcome in a single cohort study. The remaining four studies reported twenty factors associated with a favourable outcome following shockwave therapy, anti-pronation taping and orthoses. Heel spur (AUC = 0.88[0.82-0.93]), ankle plantar-flexor strength (Likelihood ratio (LR): 2.17[1.20-3.95]) and response to taping (LR = 2.17[1.19-3.90]) were the strongest factors predicting medium-term improvement. Overall, the study quality was low. A gap map analysis revealed an absence of research that included psychosocial factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A limited number of biomedical factors predict favourable or unfavourable PHP outcomes. High quality, adequately powered, prospective studies are required to better understand PHP recovery and should evaluate the prognostic value of a wide range of variables, including psychosocial factors.

Impact of plantar fasciitis on postural control and walking in young middle-aged adults

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.

Radiofrequency Plantar Fascia Coblation With and Without Gastrocnemius Recession in the Management of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of plantar heel pain. Although most are self-limiting, recalcitrant conditions can be debilitating, significantly reducing patient's quality of life. A myriad of surgical procedures are available for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis (RPF) with little consensus on best practice. This purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of radiofrequency coblation with and without gastrocnemius release on the surgical management of RPF.

METHODS

Between June 2013 and June 2019, a total of 128 patients with RPF and tight gastrocnemius were treated surgically. Presence of tight gastrocnemius was assessed clinically by a positive Silfverskiold test. Group A (n = 73) consisted of patients who underwent radiofrequency coblation alone; group B (n = 55) consisted of patients who underwent radiofrequency coblation and endoscopic gastrocnemius recession. The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS) score. Secondary outcome measures included (1) American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score; (2) physical (PCS) and mental component summaries (MCS) of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey; (3) overall assessment of improvement, expectation fulfilment, and satisfaction; and (4) complication rates.

RESULTS

Both groups reported significant improvement in VAS, AOFAS, and PCS scores postoperatively at 6 and 24 months. Group B (radiofrequency coblation with gastrocnemius recession) was associated with better VAS at both 6 months (3.0 ± 2.9 vs 1.7 ± 2.6, P < .05) and 24 months postoperatively (1.9 ± 3.1 vs 0.8 ± 2.0, P < .05) compared with group A (radiofrequency coblation without gastrocnemius recession). At 24 months postoperatively, no differences were found in AOFAS, PCS, MCS scores, expectation fulfilment, or overall satisfaction. No wound complications were reported in either group. One patient (group B) has persistent symptoms consistent with tarsal tunnel syndrome.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective cohort comparative study, treatment of RPF with radiofrequency coblation alone was associated with slightly inferior results than radiofrequency coblation combined with endoscopic gastrocnemius recession in terms of pain relief without an increase in complication rates. However, at 2 years, we did not find a significant difference in other measures of outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Analyzing the Interaction between Clinical, Neurophysiological and Psychological Outcomes Underlying Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Network Analysis Study

Plantar heel pain (PHP) is one of the most common foot pain conditions in adults. Several biological and psychological factors could be involved in chronic PHP in a complex matrix. However, reciprocal interactions between these factors are unknown. The aim of the present study was to use network analysis to quantify potential multivariate relationships between pain-related, function, clinical, mechanosensitivity, psychological, and health-related variables in individuals with PHP. Demographic (age, gender), pain-related (pain intensity), function, clinical (myofascial trigger points [TrPs]), mechanosensitivity (pressure pain thresholds), psychological (Beck Depression Inventory), and health-related variables (EQ-5D-5L) were collected in 81 PHP patients. Network connectivity analysis was conducted to quantify the adjusted correlations between the modeled variables and to assess their centrality indices. The connectivity network showed local associations between pain-related variables, foot function, and mechanosensitivity. Additionally, associations between quality of life, depression, and pain-related variables were found, while TrPs was associated with quality of life and mechanosensitivity. The node with the highest strength centrality was the worst pain intensity, while mechanosensitivity and worst pain intensity showed the highest closeness and betweenness centrality. This is the first study to apply network modeling to understand the connections between pain-related, function, clinical, mechanosensitivity, psychological, and health-related variables in PHP. The role of pain severity and mechanosensitivity is highlighted and supported by the network. Thus, this study reveals potential factors that could be the target in the management of PHP, promoting a comprehensive and effective therapeutic approach.

Effects and risks of performing a single incision endoscopic plantar fasciotomy - An anatomical study

BACKGROUND

Chronic plantar fasciitis with insufficient improvement after conservative treatment can be addressed by surgery. Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy using a single incision technique is an innovative treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and potential risks of damaging anatomical structures when performing this technique.

METHODS

40 fresh-frozen foot specimens underwent single incision endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. Operations of group A (n = 20) were done by an experienced surgeon, operations of group B (n = 20) were done by unexperienced residents.

RESULTS

In both groups, all major vessels or nerves remained undamaged. Sufficient transection (>90%) was found in 16 of 20 specimens (group A) and 10 of 20 specimens (group B) (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that single incision endoscopic plantar fasciotomy can be safely performed even by unexperienced surgeons. In contrast to that, complete transection of the medial fascicle is dependent on the surgeon's experience.

Ruptures of the Plantar Fascia: A Systematic Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Rupture of the plantar fascia is a rare condition. It can also occur spontaneously and with no history of disease of the plantar fascia, above all in athletes. This review aims to systematically analyze all cases described in the literature regarding the rupture of the plantar fascia, evaluating incidence, risk factors, and treatments, considering which procedures show the best outcomes and the highest success rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane review computerized databases was performed, focusing on articles about cases of rupture of the plantar fascia; 18 studies fulfilled all the criteria and were analyzed. There were no randomized controlled trials.

RESULTS

A total of 155 patients (157 foot) were included in this systematic review. Considering all the studies included, 12 patients had a spontaneous rupture, 138 patients had a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, and 130 patients were treated with local injections of corticosteroid before the rupture. Only 2 cases of bilateral rupture were reported. In all, 15 studies reported conservative treatment, with a total of 154 patients (156 feet) included. Operative treatment was reported in 3 studies, with 3 patients (3 feet) treated.

CONCLUSIONS

Ruptures of the plantar fascia are very rare in asymptomatic patients and more common in patients treated with injection of steroids in the plantar fascia. Conservative treatment, although not standardized in the literature, led to good outcomes in most cases. Chronic ruptures of the fascia should be considered for operative treatment.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

PIMP Your Stride: Preferred Running Form to Guide Individualized Injury Rehabilitation

Despite the wealth of research on injury prevention and biomechanical risk factors for running related injuries, their incidence remains high. It was suggested that injury prevention and reconditioning strategies should consider spontaneous running forms in a more holistic view and not only the injury location or specific biomechanical patterns. Therefore, we propose an approach using the preferred running form assessed through the Volodalen^® method to guide injury prevention, rehabilitation, and retraining exercise prescription. This approach follows three steps encapsulated by the PIMP acronym. The first step (P) refers to the preferred running form assessment. The second step (I) is the identification of inefficiency in the vertical load management. The third step (MP) refers to the movement plan individualization. The answers to these three questions are guidelines to create individualized exercise pathways based on our clinical experience, biomechanical data, strength conditioning knowledge, and empirical findings in uninjured and injured runners. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that further scientific justifications with appropriate clinical trials and mechanistic research are required to substantiate the approach.

Ultrasound-Guided Partial Plantar Fascia Release with the Use of a Fine Cutting Device for the Treatment of Persistent Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of musculoskeletal discomfort. Minimally invasive interventions are preferred as second-line treatments following failure of conservative management. We report on a novel technique of ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the medial third of the plantar fascia with the use of a fine cutting device for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of all patients treated with the technique between 2013 and 2015. Patients had failed conservative management for a minimum of 6 months. The procedure was performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Under continuous ultrasound guidance, release of the medial third of the plantar fascia from the calcaneus was performed using an ophthalmic V-Lance knife through a medial stab wound entry point.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (six men and nine women) with an average age of 54.7 years were included. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) visual analogue scale score for pain improved significantly, from 66.0 (SD, 18.8) preoperatively to each consecutive follow-up point: 29.3 (SD, 25.2) at 2 weeks, 30.0 (SD, 27.8) at 4 weeks, and 34.0 (SD, 26.1) at 12 weeks (P < .001). The mild increase in visual analogue scale score between 4 and 12 weeks was statistically significant (P = .018). Average duration of required analgesia was 5.5 days and average time required to return to usual activities was 5.7 days. Two patients suffered with refractory neuropathic pain over the lateral border of the foot without any obvious abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release with the use of a fine cutting device could be an alternative option for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis. The technique is not without complications, and a mild but statistically significant decline in pain levels from early to short term has been detected. Therefore, the long-term outcomes of this technique need to be investigated before we can advocate its routine use.

Is there a relation between plantar fasciitis and total cholesterol levels?

BACKGROUND

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and Plantar Fasciitis (PF).

METHODS

The study includes patients who presented to the orthopedics outpatient clinic with heel pain and were diagnosed with PF. The control group was composed of patients who came to the orthopedics outpatient clinic, with complaints other than heel pain. The two groups were compared in terms of epidemiological data, total cholesterol (TC) levels, and hypercholesterolemia prevalence. We also performed an in-group analysis of PF patients in terms of age, sex, body mass index, and duration of symptoms.

RESULTS

There were 238 patients (mean age, 46.7) in the PF group and 240 patients (mean age, 47.9) in the control group. There was a significant difference between the PF group and the control group in TC levels (207.6 ± 47.5 versus 195.1 ± 30.1, p = 0.001). Hypercholesterolemia (TC level > 240 mg/dL) was found in 22.7% (n = 54) of the patients in the PF group whereas in the control group this rate was 10.8% (n = 26) (p < 0.001). It was seen that the TC levels were significantly higher in patients over the age of 45 in the PF group (p = 0.038). We also found that TC levels were higher in PF patients with symptoms for longer than a year (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Significantly higher TC levels were found in PF patients in comparison with other orthopedic outpatients. Besides, being over the age of 45 and having a duration of symptoms longer than a year is associated with higher cholesterol levels for PF patients.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

4.

Can we predict which patients with plantar heel pain are more likely to benefit from insoles? A secondary exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Plantar heel pain (PHP) is a common cause of foot complaints, for which treatment with custom-made insoles is frequently applied. So far few studies have investigated patient characteristics that predict response to these treatments. The aim of this secondary exploratory analysis was twofold; firstly, to identify patient characteristics that predict prognosis in patients with PHP treated with insoles, and secondly to identify characteristics that might interact with treatment with insoles.

Methods

Data from a randomized trial in which participants received either custom insoles (N = 70) or sham insoles (N = 69) were used. At baseline, information was collected on demographics, foot symptoms, foot and ankle range of motion, navicular drop, presence of neuropathic pain, physical activity and other illnesses in the last 12 months. The primary outcome of this study was the Foot Function Index score (FFI) at 26 weeks. Multivariable linear regression models were generated to identify patients characteristics that predict the outcome for each type of intervention (i.e. insoles and GP-led usual care).

Results

We found two variables associated with a better function score at 26 weeks in patients treated with insoles, female sex (β − 9.59 95%CI -17.87; − 1.31) and a lower FFI score at baseline (β 0.56 95%CI 0.30; 0.82). Explorative analyses in patients treated with insoles showed no significant interaction effects between the type of insole (custom-made versus sham) and any of the potential predictive factors.

Conclusion

When communicating about the effect of insoles for PHP clinicians should take sex and the amount of pain and disability at first presentation into account. Women and people with better foot function scores at baseline (according to FFI) might respond better to treatment with insoles in terms of foot function.

Trial registration

Trial registration: NTR5346.

Running-Related Biomechanical Risk Factors for Overuse Injuries in Distance Runners: A Systematic Review Considering Injury Specificity and the Potentials for Future Research

BACKGROUND

Running overuse injuries (ROIs) occur within a complex, partly injury-specific interplay between training loads and extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Biomechanical risk factors (BRFs) are related to the individual running style. While BRFs have been reviewed regarding general ROI risk, no systematic review has addressed BRFs for specific ROIs using a standardized methodology.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and evaluate the evidence for the most relevant BRFs for ROIs determined during running and to suggest future research directions.

DESIGN

Systematic review considering prospective and retrospective studies. (PROSPERO_ID: 236,832).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed. Connected Papers. The search was performed in February 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

English language. Studies on participants whose primary sport is running addressing the risk for the seven most common ROIs and at least one kinematic, kinetic (including pressure measurements), or electromyographic BRF. A BRF needed to be identified in at least one prospective or two independent retrospective studies. BRFs needed to be determined during running.

RESULTS

Sixty-six articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Levels of evidence for specific ROIs ranged from conflicting to moderate evidence. Running populations and methods applied varied considerably between studies. While some BRFs appeared for several ROIs, most BRFs were specific for a particular ROI. Most BRFs derived from lower-extremity joint kinematics and kinetics were located in the frontal and transverse planes of motion. Further, plantar pressure, vertical ground reaction force loading rate and free moment-related parameters were identified as kinetic BRFs.

CONCLUSION

This study offers a comprehensive overview of BRFs for the most common ROIs, which might serve as a starting point to develop ROI-specific risk profiles of individual runners. We identified limited evidence for most ROI-specific risk factors, highlighting the need for performing further high-quality studies in the future. However, consensus on data collection standards (including the quantification of workload and stress tolerance variables and the reporting of injuries) is warranted.

The Effect of Dry Needling on Pain, Range of Motion of Ankle Joint, and Ultrasonographic Changes of Plantar Fascia in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

CONTEXT

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common and devastating disease. Despite different treatments, there is no clear evidence for the effect of these treatments on PF. One of the therapy methods used in physiotherapy is dry needling (DN). So the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of DN on the pain and range of motion of the ankle joint and plantar fascia thickness in subjects with PF who are suffering from the trigger points of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

METHODS

In this study, 20 volunteer females with PF were randomly assigned into DN treatment and control groups. Measurements were range of motion in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, plantar fascia thickness, and visual analog scale measured before, immediately, and 1 month after the end of the intervention in both groups.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the plantar fascia thickness and visual analog scale between the 2 groups. Plantar fascia thickness (P = .016) and visual analog scale (P = .03) significantly decreased in the treatment group. However, there was no significant difference in plantar flexion (P = .582) and dorsiflexion range of motion (P = .173) between groups.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study showed that DN can reduce pain and plantar fascia thickness in women with PF who are suffering from trigger points of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1, randomized controlled trial.

Platelet rich plasma versus glucocorticoid for plantar fasciitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain in adult. There are a variety of ways to treat PF, but these treatments have varied result in their effectiveness, and exist different degrees of limitations. At present, clinical studies focus on the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of PF, but there is a lack of systematic evaluation PRP and GC's clinical effect towards PF. This study aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy of GCs and PRP in the treatment of PF by means of meta-analysis.

METHODS

The literature of a randomized controlled clinical trial of PRP in the treatment of plantantifasciitis was searched on the Internet. Retrieve 7 databases. EndNote X9 software was used for document management. The Jadad scale was used to score the literature. Risk assessment of the literature was conducted according to Cochrane's systematic evaluation manual 5.0. RevMan5.3 software was used for literature risk bias analysis. Stata12.0 software is used for sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

This study will provide effective evidence-based evidence for the long-term efficacy of PRP and GC in treating PF.

CONCLUSION

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted for the comparison of the long-term effect of PRP and GC on plantar fascia in the treatment of PF.

Autoregulation in Resistance Training for Lower Limb Tendinopathy: A Potential Method for Addressing Individual Factors, Intervention Issues, and Inadequate Outcomes

Musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendinopathy, are placing an increasing burden on society and health systems. Tendinopathy accounts for up to 30% of musculoskeletal disorders, with a high incidence in athletes and the general population. Although resistance training has shown short-term effectiveness in the treatment of lower limb tendinopathy, more comprehensive exercise protocols and progression methods are required due to poor long-term outcomes. The most common resistance training protocols are predetermined and standardized, which presents significant limitations. Current standardized protocols do not adhere to scientific resistance training principles, consider individual factors, or take the importance of individualized training into account. Resistance training programs in case of tendinopathy are currently not achieving the required intensity and dosage, leading to high recurrence rates. Therefore, better methods for individualizing and progressing resistance training are required to improve outcomes. One potential method is autoregulation, which allows individuals to progress training at their own rate, taking individual factors into account. Despite the finding of their effectiveness in increasing the strength of healthy athletes, autoregulation methods have not been investigated in case of tendinopathy. The purpose of this narrative review was 3-fold: firstly, to give an overview and a critical analysis of the individual factors involved in tendinopathy and current resistance training protocols and their limitations. Secondly, to give an overview of the history, methods, and application of autoregulation strategies both in sports performance and physiotherapy. Finally, a theoretical adaptation of a current tendinopathy resistance training protocol using autoregulation methods is presented, providing an example of how the method could be implemented in clinical practice or future research.

Chronic plantar fasciitis reduces rearfoot to medial-forefoot anti-phase coordination

BACKGROUND

It is commonly assumed that abnormal foot biomechanics cause plantar fasciitis; however, this assumption is not well supported. In this study, we investigated rearfoot to medial-forefoot coordination of healthy and plantar fasciitis individuals. We hypothesized that chronic plantar fasciitis individuals would exhibit greater intersegmental rearfoot to medial-forefoot anti-phase coordination and greater coordinative variability than a healthy cohort.

METHODS

Twenty-two individuals with chronic plantar fasciitis (symptomatic mean 4.5 years) and 22 healthy individuals participated. Three-dimensional kinematics of the rearfoot and medial forefoot segments were captured using reflective markers for walking trials. After resolving rearfoot and medial-forefoot segment angle data, a modified vector coding method was used to compute coupling angles, anti-phase movements, and coordinative variability.

FINDINGS

Compared to healthy individuals, individuals with plantar fasciitis exhibited fewer anti-phase movements (frontal plane: P = 0.003, effect size = 0.38). No group differences were detected in coordinative variability magnitude (sagittal, frontal, transverse, respectively: P = 0.99, 0.72, 0.86; effect sizes = 0.00, 0.12, 0.04). There were significant main effect differences in coupling variability between stance periods (P < 0.0001).

INTERPRETATION

Contrary to our hypothesis, these data suggest that a relative reduction of rearfoot to medial-forefoot anti-phase movements with a chronic plantar fasciitis injury indicates a coordinative deficit, and that a greater frequency of anti-phase movements is associated with healthy foot function. Pain, guarding, and/or the state of chronic injury may be impairing fluid inter-segmental motion. Although no group differences were found in coordinative variability, this variability increased around transitions between loading, weight acceptance, and propulsive phases of gait.

In Vivo Foot and Ankle Kinematics During Activities Measured by Using a Dual Fluoroscopic Imaging System: A Narrative Review

Foot and ankle joints are complicated anatomical structures that combine the tibiotalar and subtalar joints. They play an extremely important role in walking, running, jumping and other dynamic activities of the human body. The in vivo kinematic analysis of the foot and ankle helps deeply understand the movement characteristics of these structures, as well as identify abnormal joint movements and treat related diseases. However, the technical deficiencies of traditional medical imaging methods limit studies on in vivo foot and ankle biomechanics. During the last decade, the dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) has enabled the accurate and noninvasive measurements of the dynamic and static activities in the joints of the body. Thus, this method can be utilised to quantify the movement in the single bones of the foot and ankle and analyse different morphological joints and complex bone positions and movement patterns within these organs. Moreover, it has been widely used in the field of image diagnosis and clinical biomechanics evaluation. The integration of existing single DFIS studies has great methodological reference value for future research on the foot and ankle. Therefore, this review evaluated existing studies that applied DFIS to measure the in vivo kinematics of the foot and ankle during various activities in healthy and pathologic populations. The difference between DFIS and traditional biomechanical measurement methods was shown. The advantages and shortcomings of DFIS in practical application were further elucidated, and effective theoretical support and constructive research direction for future studies on the human foot and ankle were provided.

Association of Ankle Dorsiflexion With Plantar Fasciitis

This study aimed to compare the mean ankle dorsiflexion range between individuals with and without plantar fasciitis using passive ankle dorsiflexion with consistent pressure, and to identify the prevalence of an isolated gastrocnemius and gastrocnemius soleus complex contracture in 2 groups. 91 participants were prospectively classified into the plantar fasciitis group (45 subjects) and the control group (46 subjects). Ankle dorsiflexion was measured with the knee extended and with the knee flexed 90° using a standard orthopedic goniometer while a consistent force of 2 kg was applied under the plantar surface of the forefoot using a custom-made scale. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the current ankle dorsiflexion measurement. The current ankle dorsiflexion measurement revealed excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliability. The mean ankle dorsiflexion in the knee extended was -9.6° ± 8.1° and -11.2° ± 8.2° in the study and control groups, respectively (p = .353). The mean ankle dorsiflexion in the knee flexed was 7.8° ± 6.5° and 5.1° ± 7.4° in the study and control groups, respectively (p = .068). In the study and control groups, 68.9% and 65.2%, respectively, had an isolated gastrocnemius contracture and 24.4% and 30.4%, respectively, had a gastrocnemius-soleus complex contracture (p = .768). The present study demonstrated that there were no significant differences in passive ankle dorsiflexion and in the prevalence of an isolated gastrocnemius or gastrocnemius soleus complex contracture between individuals with and without plantar fasciitis.

Immediate and short-term effects of kinesiotaping and lower extremity stretching on pain and disability in individuals with plantar fasciitis: a pilot randomized, controlled trial

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) can disturb individual's weight-bearing activities. Hence, conservative treatments with immediate effect in reducing pain and improving foot function is required.Objective: This study compared the effect of kinesiotaping and stretching exercise in individuals with PF.Methods: Thirty patients with PF were randomly divided into three groups, and received kinesiotaping, stretching exercise, and a combination of the two aforementioned interventions. Pain intensity and foot disability were measured at baseline, immediately after the first treatment, and at one week.Results: Immediately after the first treatment, all groups showed significant changes in heel pain intensity (p ≤ .012) with the standardized response mean (SRM) of 2.85, 1.96, and 1.43 for the taping, stretching, and the combination groups, respectively. Nevertheless, no significant change in foot disability was found (p > .05). At the one week, all groups continued to demonstrate significant reduction in heel pain (p ≤ .012) with the SRM of 1.78, 2.84, and 2.09 for the taping, stretching, and the combination groups, respectively. While the combination group showed significant reduction in foot disability (p = .024). However, there was no significant difference of the change score in all parameters among the three groups (p > .05).Conclusion: Improvement in heel pain was observed in all groups after the first treatment. However, improvement in foot function over one week was observed only among those who received the combined treatment. Further studies on larger samples are required to establish the superiority of the combined treatment over kinesiotaping or stretching alone.

Classifying sitting, standing, and walking using plantar force data

Prolonged static weight-bearing at work may increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis (PF). However, to establish a causal relationship between weight-bearing and PF, a low-cost objective measure of workplace behaviors is needed. This proof-of-concept study assesses the classification accuracy and sensitivity of low-resolution plantar pressure measurements in distinguishing workplace postures. Plantar pressure was measured using an in-shoe measurement system in eight healthy participants while sitting, standing, and walking. Data was resampled to simulate on/off characteristics of 24 plantar force sensitive resistors. The top 10 sensors were evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation with machine learning algorithms: support vector machines (SVMs), decision tree (DT), discriminant analysis (DA), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). SVM and DT best classified sitting, standing, and walking. High classification accuracy was obtained with five sensors (98.6% and 99.1% accuracy, respectively) and even a single sensor (98.4% and 98.4%, respectively). The central forefoot and the medial and lateral midfoot were the most important classification sensor locations. On/off plantar pressure measurements in the midfoot and central forefoot can accurately classify workplace postures. These results provide the foundation for a low-cost objective tool to classify and quantify sedentary workplace postures.

Therapeutic efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injection compared to corticosteroid injection in plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study summarizes all literature assessing the long term effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection compared to corticosteroid injection to relieve pain and improve function in Plantar Fasciitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a PRISMA compliant systematic review of 5 databases and include a meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial data comparing the two injections.

RESULTS

Ten prospective trials were included with total number of 543 participants. The PRP group had significantly better pain scores at 3 months and 6 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PRP injections provide better pain relief, compared to corticosteroids, in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Role of Platelet Rich Plasma in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) local injection has been recently proposed as a treatment of plantar fasciitis. The autologous PRP does not have much side effects compared to steroid injections. So far PRP injections have shown promising results in various studies. This study assessed the efficacy of a single local injection of PRP in chronic unilateral plantar fasciitis through a prospective case series.

METHODOLOGY

A hospital-based prospective case series of 30 unilateral plantar fasciitis patients with symptom duration of 6 months or more were included in the study. All patients included in the study were assessed clinically and by visual analogue score for heel pain, AHS component of AOFAS and FADI scores before injection and at 6 and 12 week follow-up. USG measurement of plantar fascia thickness was done at pre-injection and at 12 weeks follow-up. All patients were observed for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The mean age was 39 years (range 20-55 years). The pre-injection VAS score for heel pain was 6.5 ± 1.1 which improved to 2.7 ± 0.5 and 1.8 ± 0.8 at 6 and 12 week respectively and difference was significant (p < 0.001). The baseline FADI and AHS component of AOFAS scores were 53.1 ± 9.0 and 72.2 ± 5.7 which improved to 65.5 ± 5.3 and 76.1 ± 4.5 at 6 weeks and, 77.9 ± 4.4 and 85.7 ± 4.6 at 12 weeks respectively which was significant (p < 0.001). The baseline mean plantar fascia thickness was 4.9 ± 0.3 mm which was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced to 3.9 ± 0.3 mm at 12 weeks post PRP injection. All pairwise comparisons by the post-hoc Wilcoxon signed rank test with p-value adjustment were also significant.

CONCLUSION

The short-term results of single dose PRP injections shows clinical and statistically significant improvements in VAS for heel pain, functional outcome scores and plantar fascia thickness measured by USG. This study concludes that local PRP injection is a viable management option for chronic plantar fasciitis.

Comparison of midterm results of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Steroid for plantar fasciitis: A randomized control trial of 118 patients

BACKGROUND

Plantar fasciitis, which is a common cause of heel pain, often results in significant morbidity. In cases who are not responsive to initial conservative treatment, invasive procedures, often in the form of local infiltration of steroid are required. These procedures are associated with significant complications. Local Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) infiltration is an emerging addition to these treatments. However, whether it is more effective in reducing pain and improving function than other treatments (such as steroid injections or whole blood) remains controversial.

METHODS

Skeletally mature patients with plantar fasciitis who had failed conservative therapy were randomized using envelope method into 2 groups: PRP and Steroid group. The participants were assessed for pain using Visual Analog Scale on the day of presentation, and then after therapy at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. They were additionally assessed on final follow-up using AOFAS hind-foot Score.

RESULTS

118 patients were randomized into 2 groups: 58 patients to the PRP group and 60 to the Steroid group. PRP was associated with greater improvement in VAS score and resulted in superior AOFAS score at 6 months as compared to steroid injection. The authors did not find any local or systemic complications in any of the groups. The result and difference were more pronounced as the time from injection increased and maximal benefit was observed at 6 months follow-up. None of the patients needed a repeat injection at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Our study expands on the previous studies to provide a better evidence for superiority of PRP over local injection of steroid in plantar fasciitis, and the authors conclude that PRP provides better pain relief and function as compared to steroid injection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1 Prospective Randomized Control Trial (RCT).

Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release versus Cryosurgery for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

In a prospective randomized study, we compared two different surgical techniques used in plantar fasciitis surgery.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients diagnosed as having plantar fasciitis and treated for at least 6 months with no response to conservative modalities were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive endoscopic plantar fascia release (EPFR) or cryosurgery (CS). Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS) as a primary outcome measurement at baseline and 3 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. At the final follow-up visit, the Roles-Maudsley score was used to determine patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Five patients did not complete the 1-year follow-up examination (one in the EPFR group and four in the CS group). Thus, the study group included 43 patients. Although both groups showed significant improvement at the final evaluation, the patients in the EPFR group had significantly better AOFAS-AHS scores at 3 months. The success rate (Roles-Maudsley scores of excellent and good) in the EPFR group at 12 months was 87% and in the CS group was 65%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both EPFR and CS were associated with statistically significant improvements at 1-year follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, EPFR was associated with better results and a higher patient satisfaction rate compared with CS.

Association between trigger points in hamstring, posterior leg, foot muscles and plantar fasciopathy: A cross- sectional study

BACKROUND

Plantar Fasciopathy (PF) is soreness or irritability experienced underneath infero-medial aspect of the heel. It is a multifactorial disorder where myofascial involvement also seems to be associated with it, in which, muscles of posterior thigh, leg and foot muscles are affected. Trigger points in these muscles may interfere with biomechanics and normal functioning of the lower limb.

OBJECTIVE

To find an association between trigger points of the posterior thigh, leg and foot muscles and plantar fasciopathy.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross sectional study.

METHODS

100 patients with plantar fasciopathy who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included in this study. They were examined for trigger points by manual palpation in posterior thigh, leg and foot muscles. Totally 15 muscles were examined on both affected and unaffected side.

RESULTS

Results showed that myofascial trigger points were more prevalent in medial gastrocnemius (98%, Chi-square: 110.07, p < 0.05, Phi-0.74), quadratus plantae (83%, Chi-square:126.96, p < 0.05, Phi- 0.79), soleus (69%, Chi-square: 28.88, p < 0.05, Phi-0.38), tibialis posterior (46%, Chi-square 41.98 p<0.05%, Phi-0.50), abductor hallucis (42%, Chi-square: 43.61 p<0.05% Phi-0.46), flexor halluces longus (41%, Chisquare: 39.25, p < 0.05, Phi-0.44) than other muscles on the affected side. Whereas, on the unaffected side, trigger points were more prevalent among peroneus longus (50%, Chi-square: 26.14, p < 0.05, Phi-0.36) followed by medial gastrocnemius (26%, Chisquare: 110.07, p < 0.05, Phi-0.74).

CONCLUSION

Plantar fasciopathy is strongly associated with trigger points of medial gastrocnemius, quadratus plantae followed by soleus, tibialis posterior, abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis longus.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Corticosteroid Injections in the Management of Elbow Epicondylitis and Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as a promising alternative to traditional corticosteroid (CS), is now increasingly used in the treatment of elbow epicondylitis (EE) and plantar fasciitis (PF). To date, however, the synthesis of information on the clinical efficacy of PRP versus CS is limited with divergent conclusions.

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical efficacy of PRP and CS injections in reducing pain and improving function in EE and PF.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Online databases were searched from inception to October 2018 for prospective studies evaluating PRP versus CS injections for EE or PF. Independent reviewers undertook searches, screening, and risk-of-bias appraisals. The primary outcomes of interest were pain and function in both the short term (1-3 months) and the long term (≥6 months).

RESULTS

Twenty trials with 1268 participants were included. For EE, PRP provides a statistically and clinically meaningful long-term improvement in pain, with a very large effect size of -1.3 (95% CI, -1.9 to -0.7) when compared with CS, but the evidence level was low. For EE, there was moderate evidence that CS provides a statistically meaningful improvement in pain in the short term, with a medium effect size of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.08-1.03) as compared with PRP; this improvement might not be clinically significant. For PF, there was low evidence that PRP provides a statistically and clinically meaningful long-term improvement in function (American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society score), with a very large effect size of 1.94 (95% CI, 0.61-3.28). There were no significant differences between the groups in improvement in function in EE and pain and short-term function in PF, but the quality of the evidence was low.

CONCLUSION

The use of PRP yields statistically and clinically better improvement in long-term pain than does CS in the treatment of EE. The use of PRP yields statistically and clinically better long-term functional improvement than that of CS in the treatment of PF.

Evaluation of plantar fasciopathy shear wave elastography: a comparison between patients and healthy subjects

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to compare elasticity features between patients with plantar fasciitis (PFis) and an asymptomatic healthy control group using shear wave elastography (SWE) and to correlate SWE values with clinical scores.

METHODS

Consecutive patients diagnosed with PFis and asymptomatic subjects were enrolled in the present study. Both groups underwent clinical, ultrasound (US), and SWE evaluation. A plantar fascia thickness > 4 mm was considered pathognomonic of PFis. SWE stiffness elasticity (Young's modulus in kPa and shear wave velocity in m/s) was measured 1 cm distally from the calcaneal insertion. Correlations with VAS and the 17-Italian Foot Function Index (17-FFI) were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the patient group and were enrolled in the study, and 21 healthy subjects were used as a control group. Statistically significant differences were found for shear wave velocity between the patient and the control group, with SWE findings of 3.8 (5.1; 1.5) m/s and 4.7 (4.07; 7.04) m/s, respectively (p = 0.006). Strong positive correlations were found between the SWE findings and both the pain and the functional scale (VAS: p = 0.001; FFI: p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

SWE allows quantitative assessment of the stiffness of the plantar fascia and can show PFis alterations, increasing the diagnostic performance of B-mode US. In addition, SWE shows a strong correlation with clinical scores, improving patient assessment and follow-up.

Differentiating Sitting, Standing, and Walking Through Regional Plantar Pressure Characteristics

Prolonged static weight bearing (WBR) is thought to aggravate plantar heel pain and is common in the workplace, which may put employees at greater risk of developing plantar heel pain. However, objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the workplace are lacking, making it difficult to establish or refute the connection between work exposure and plantar heel pain. Characterizing loading patterns during common workplace postures will enhance the understanding of foot function and inform the development of new measurement tools. Plantar pressure data during periods of sitting, standing, and walking were measured in ten healthy participants using the F-Scan in-shoe measurement system (Tekscan Inc, Boston, MA). Peak and average pressure, peak and average contact area, and average pressure differential were analyzed in ten different regions of the foot. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed the posture by foot region interaction for each measurement parameter; significant effects of posture by foot region were identified for all five measurement parameters. Ten foot region by measurement parameter combinations were found to significantly differentiate all three postures simultaneously; seven used pressure measures to differentiate while three used area measures. The heel, lateral midfoot (LM), and medial and central forefoot (CFF) encompassed nine of ten areas capable of differentiating all postures simultaneously. This work demonstrates that plantar pressure is a viable means to characterize and differentiate three common workplace postures. The results of this study can inform the development of measurement tools for quantifying posture duration at work.

Role of mechanical factors in the clinical presentation of plantar heel pain: Implications for management

Plantar heel pain is a common musculoskeletal foot disorder that can have a negative impact on activities of daily living and it is of multifactorial etiology. A variety of mechanical factors, which result in excessive load at the plantar fascia insertion, are thought to contribute to the onset of the condition. This review presents the evidence for associations between commonly assessed mechanical factors and plantar heel pain, which could guide management. Plantar heel pain is associated with a higher BMI in non-athletic groups, reduced dorsiflexion range of motion, as well as reduced strength in specific foot and ankle muscle groups. There is conflicting, or insufficient evidence regarding the importance of foot alignment and first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion. Plantar heel pain appears to be common in runners, with limited evidence for greater risk being associated with higher mileage or previous injuries. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the relationship between work-related standing and plantar heel pain, however, longer standing duration may be associated with plantar heel pain in specific worker groups. The evidence presented has been generated through studies with cross-sectional designs, therefore it is not known whether any of these associated factors have a causative relationship with plantar heel pain. Longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain whether the strength and flexibility impairments associated with plantar heel pain are a cause or consequence of the condition, as well as to establish activity thresholds that increase risk. Intervention approaches should consider strategies that improve strength and flexibility, as well as those that influence plantar fascia loading such as body weight reduction, orthoses and management of athletic and occupational workload.

[Comparison between extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy in plantar fasciitis]

OBJECTIVE

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. The aetiology of this condition remains unclear. Patients typically have pain upon palpation of the medial plantar calcaneal region. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has shown favourable outcomes in various studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy with radial pressure wave therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-nine non-randomised patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included between January 2017 and June 2018. Patients from the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia were treated with focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and patients from Llíria Hospital with radial pressure wave therapy. Measured outcome variables were: visual analog scale; ultrasonographic measurement of plantar fascia thickness; self-reported foot-specific pain and disability using the Foot Function Index; self-reported health-related quality of life using the Euroqol-5D; self-reported pain and limitations of activity using the Roles & Maudsley Scale.

RESULTS

At inclusion, the 2groups showed no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics. Three months after treatment completion, both groups showed improvement in all outcome variables, without statistically significant differences between the 2groups. No adverse effects or complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Both extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy are effective treatments for plantar fasciitis.

Ultrasound-Guided Injection of High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid versus Corticosteroid in Management of Plantar Fasciitis: A 24-Week Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the leading cause of heel pain in adults. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) injection in reducing the symptoms of PF, compared with corticosteroid (CS) injection as a conventional treatment.

METHODS

In this triple-blind, randomized, clinical trial, 75 patients who had the symptoms of PF for at least 3 months were randomly divided into two groups of 38 and 37 individuals. Then, each patient received either a single injection of high molecular weight (>2000 kDa) HA (1 mL HA 20 mg + 1 mL lidocaine 2%) or CS (1 mL methylprednisolone 40 mg + 1 mL lidocaine 2%) under the ultrasonography (US) guidance. Visual analog scale (VAS), foot ankle ability index (FAAI), pressure pain threshold (PPT), functional foot index (FFI), and plantar fascia thickness (PFT) were measured using US at baseline, 6 weeks and 24 weeks after the injection. Eventually, at the end of the treatment period, the patients' satisfaction was measured. Intention to treat analysis was used to assess the results.

RESULTS

After 24 weeks of follow-up, results from 60 subjects were fully obtained; however, results of 73 patients included into intention to treat analysis in the sixth-week follow-up. In both groups, VAS, PFT and FFI decreased, while FAAI and PPT increased significantly (P <0.001). At the baseline and at the 24th-week, no significant difference between the two groups was observed in any of the variables. However, a comparison between the baseline and the sixth-week results shows a prominent decrease in PPT and PFT in the CS group compared to the HA group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.011). Finally, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in treatment satisfaction (P = 0.618).

CONCLUSION

Both CS and HA were effective modalities for PF and can improve pain and function with no superiority in 24th-week follow-ups, although CS seems to have a faster trend of improvement in the short term.

Lower Extremity Biomechanical Examination of Athletes

A comprehensive lower extremity examination is a critical examination component for any type of injury in an athlete but should also be part of a preseason or preventive care program. Identification and treatment of biomechanical abnormalities and association with evidence-based risk factors for lower extremity disorders can be incorporated to potentially reduce risk or prevent acute and chronic injuries.

Effects of Strengthening and Stretching Exercises on the Temporospatial Gait Parameters in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To investigate the effects of physical therapy interventions using strengthening and stretching exercise programs on pain and temporospatial gait parameters in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF).

Methods

Eighty-four patients with PF participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the strengthening or stretching exercise groups. All patients received 8 physical therapy interventions two times per week in the first 4 weeks and performed daily strengthening or stretching exercises three times per day. After 4 weeks, they continued the assigned exercise programs every day for 8 weeks. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at the worst and in the morning and temporospatial gait parameters were evaluated at the baseline, intermediate of the intervention, end of the intervention, and the first and second month follow-up.

Results

There were significant effects of the time on the worst pain, morning pain, cadence, stride time, stride length, total double support, and gait speed, but there was no effect on step width. In addition, the main effect of the group and the interaction effects of the time and the group were not found in any parameters. For intra-group comparisons, there were significant differences in worst pain, morning pain, cadence, and stride time among the assessment times in both groups. For inter-group comparisons, there were no significant differences in all parameters.

Conclusion

Both strengthening and stretching exercise programs significantly reduced pain and improved gait in patients with PF.

The thickness of heel fat-pad in patients with plantar fasciitis

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the thickness of heel fat pad (THP) and to detect the relationship between the plantar fasciitis (PF) and age, occupation, BMI, longitudinal arch, the thickness of heel fat-pad in the patients with PF.

Methods

A total of 50 patients (29 women and 21 men; mean age: 46.5 years (range: 22–70)) that were diagnosed with PF were included to this study. Patients' affected side were compared with the healthy opposite side with the angle of medial arch (AMA) and first metatarsophalangeal angle (FMTPA) on the foot radiograms, and THP and thickness of first metatarsal fat pad (TFMFP) using ultrasonography (USG) of both feet.

Results

The mean AMAs of feet with pain and without pain were 122.56° and 120.60°, respectively. The mean FMTPAs of feet with pain and without pain were 14.72° and 14.40°, respectively. The mean THPs of feet with pain at the point of the medial calcaneal tubercle and the mean TFMFPs of the feet with pain at the point of the first metatarsal head were 19.45 mm and 6.75 mm, respectively. The mean THPs of feet without pain at the point of the medial calcaneal tubercle and the mean TFMFPs of the feet without pain at the point of the first metatarsal head were 19.94 mm and 6.75 mm, respectively. It was observed that the mean AMA in the heels with pain was significantly higher than that of the heel without pain (p < 0.05) and the mean THP in the heels with pain was significantly thinner than that of the heel without pain (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results indicate that USG is an accurate and reliable imaging technique for the measurement of THP in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and the heel pad was thinner in the painful heels of patients with plantar fasciitis.

Level of evidence

Level III, Diagnostic Study.

Plantar fasciitis in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A contemporary cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Hyperglycemia leads to increase advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, formation of AGEs can cause increased plantar fascial thickness (PFT), an imaging feature of plantar fasciitis (PF). This study evaluates the prevalence of PF in a contemporary cohort of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients managed according to current standards, compared to patients without diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a five-year prevalence study in a large tertiary health system (approximately 535,000 patients/visits/year) with a single electronic medical record (EMR), applying a cohort discovery tool and database screen (Data Direct) with use of ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. All patients with a PF diagnosis between 01/01/2011 and 01/01/2016 were included and divided into 3 groups: type 1 diabetes (7148 patients), type 2 diabetes (61,632 patients), and no diabetes (653,659 patients). Prevalence rates were calculated, accounting for other risk factors including BMI and gender using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PF in the entire study population was 0.85%. Prevalence rates were higher in patients with diabetes, particularly with type 2 diabetes (42% and 64% higher compared with patients with type 1 diabetes and no diabetes respectively). Individually, PF rates were 0.92% in type 1 diabetes and 1.31% in type 2 diabetes compared with 0.80% in patients with no diabetes (Type 1 vs. no diabetes p = 0.26; Type 2 vs. no diabetes p ≪ 0.0001; Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes p = 0.0054). Females in all groups had higher prevalence of PF than males (p ≪ 0.0001 for all), with those patients with diabetes having higher prevalence rates than those without diabetes. Patients with higher BMI levels (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were also more likely to have PF in all categories except males with type 1 diabetes (p = 0.40).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large contemporary population managed in a tertiary health system, prevalence rates of PF were substantially higher in patients with diabetes compared with no diabetes, particularly in type 2 diabetes. Female gender and higher BMI were also associated with higher prevalence of PF in this cohort.