Foot mobility and plantar fascia elasticity in patients with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the radiologic changes of feet in sagittal plane under weightbearing either with or without plantar fasciitis.

Methods: The study includes 64 feet of the 42 subjects with heel pain (Group 1: 32 women, 10 men, mean age 48 years, range 33-57 years) and 80 feet of the 40 patients (Group 2: 30 women, 10 men, mean age 47.2 years, range 35-56 years) without heel pain. Calcaneal inclination angle (CIA), calcaneal-first metatarsal angle (CMA), and plantar fascia length (PFL) were measured in the lateral radiographs of the weightbearing and non-weightbearing foot. The values of Group 1 and Group 2 were compared.

Results: The mean CIA was 26 degrees (range 18-35 degrees), CMA was 121 degrees (range 115-133 degrees), and PFL was 131 mm (range 110-158 mm) in non-weightbearing position for Group I. The mean CIA was 27 degrees (range 17-38 degrees), CMA was 122 degrees (range 110-135 degrees), and PFL was 136 mm (range 120-155 mm) in non-weightbearing position for Group 2. The mean CIA was 13.6 degrees (range 5-25 degrees), CMA was 138 degrees (range 130-153 degrees), and PFU was 143.8 mm (range 118-158 mm) in weightbearing position for Group I. The mean CIA was 9.9 degrees (range 4-25 degrees), CMA was 145 degrees (range 130-155 degrees), and PFU was 151.4 mm (range 137-167 mm) in weightbearing position for Group 2. The difference between CIA, CMA, and PFL values were -13 degrees, 17 degrees, and 12 mm under condition of weightbearing and non-weightbearing position values for Group I; and -17 degrees, 23 degrees, and 15 mm for Group 2. The differences were significant between weightbearing and non-weightbearing position values (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The reduced CIA, CMA, and PFL changes during weight bearing might show reduced foot mobility and plantar fascia elasticity, which may lead to posterior heel pain syndrome.