[Foot and ankle pathologies during pregnancy]. / Pathologies du pied et de la cheville pendant la grossesse.

Foot and ankle pain and oedema are a common complaint among pregnant women. A range of hormonal and anatomical changes during pregnancy can cause modifications in foot and ankle's biomechanics and anatomy. The main foot and ankle pathologies encountered in pregnancy are progressive collapsing foot deformity, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, oedema, and fractures. Workup includes the use of radiological evaluation that could pose a risk to the fetus, depending on the gestational age. Treatment plans range from symptomatic conservative to surgical options and a multidisciplinary approach is often recommended and warranted. Our paper aims to present these different pathologies and propose a structured treatment plan to address them.

La douleur et l'œdème du pied et de la cheville sont fréquents chez les femmes enceintes. Plusieurs changements hormonaux et anatomiques pendant la grossesse entraînent des modifications dans la biomécanique et l'anatomie du pied et de la cheville. Les pathologies les plus fréquentes concernant cette localisation rencontrées pendant la grossesse sont le pied plat progressif, la fasciite plantaire, la douleur au talon, l'œdème et les fractures. Le bilan demande souvent une évaluation radiologique pouvant présenter un risque pour le fœtus, en fonction de l'âge gestationnel. Les plans de traitement vont du traitement conservateur à la chirurgie et une approche multidisciplinaire est souvent recommandée et justifiée. Cet article présente ces différentes pathologies et propose un plan de traitement structuré.

The Heel Complex: Anatomy, Imaging, Pathologic Conditions, and Treatment.

The differential diagnosis for heel pain is broad but primarily involves abnormalities of the Achilles tendon, calcaneus, and plantar fascia. Achilles tendon disorders include tendinosis, tendinitis, and partial or complete tears. Tendinosis refers to tendon degeneration, while tendinitis is inflammation after acute overload. Untreated tendinosis can progress to partial or complete tears. Tendon disorders can be accompanied by paratenonitis or inflammation of the loose sheath enclosing the tendon. Initial management involves rehabilitation and image-guided procedures. Operative management is reserved for tendon tears and includes direct repair, tendon transfer, and graft reconstruction. The calcaneus is the most commonly fractured tarsal bone. The majority of fractures are intra-articular; extra-articular fractures, stress or insufficiency fractures, medial process avulsion, and neuropathic avulsion can also occur. Posterosuperior calcaneal exostosis or Haglund deformity, retrocalcaneal bursitis, and insertional Achilles tendinosis form the characteristic triad of Haglund syndrome. It is initially managed with orthotics and physiotherapy. Operative management aims to correct osseous or soft-tissue derangements. The plantar fascia is a strong fibrous tissue that invests the sole of the foot and contributes to midfoot stability. Inflammation or plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and can be related to overuse or mechanical causes. Acute rupture is less common but can occur in preexisting plantar fasciitis. Conservative treatment includes footwear modification, calf stretches, and percutaneous procedures. The main operative treatment is plantar fasciotomy. Plantar fibromatosis is a benign fibroblastic proliferation within the fascia that can be locally aggressive and is prone to recurrence. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Evaluation of the efficacy of trigger points combined with extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: heel temperature and plantar pressure.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain. Among conservative treatments, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is considered effective for refractory PF. Studies have shown that applying ESWT to the trigger points (TrPs) in the triceps surae may play an important role in pain treatment in patients with PF. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to combine the concept of trigger points and ESWT to explore the effect of this combination on plantar temperature and pressure in patients with PF. METHODS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 86 patients with PF were recruited from the pain clinic of Huadong Hospital, Fudan University and randomly divided into experimental (n = 43) and control groups (n = 43). The experimental group was treated with extracorporeal shock waves to treat the medial heel pain point and the gastrocnemius and soleus TrPs. The control group was only treated with extracorporeal shock waves at the medial heel pain point. The two groups were treated twice with an interval of 1 week. Primary measurements included a numerical rating scale (NRS) score (overall, first step, heel pain during daily activities), and secondary measurements included heel temperature, Roles-Maudsley score (RMS), and plantar pressure. All assessments were performed before treatment (i.e., baseline) and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: During the trial, 3 patients in the experimental group withdrew from the study, 2 due to interruption of the course of treatment by the COVID-19 epidemic and 1 due to personal reasons. In the control group, 3 patients fell and were removed due to swelling of the heel. Therefore, only 80 patients with PF were finally included. After treatment, the two groups showed good results in NRS score (overall, first step, heel pain during daily activities), RMS, and plantar temperature, especially in the experimental group, who showed a significantly better effect than the control group. CONCLUSION: ESWT of the heel combined with the triceps trigger point of the calf can more effectively improve the pain, function and quality of life of refractory PF than ESWT of the heel alone. In addition, ESWT of the heel combined with the triceps trigger point of the calf can effectively reduce the skin temperature of the heel on the symptomatic side, indicating that the heel temperature as measured by infrared thermal imaging may be used as an independent tool to evaluate the therapeutic effect for patients with chronic PF. Although extracorporeal shock waves combined with TrPs treatment can cause changes in the patients' gait structure, plantar pressure is still difficult to use as an independent tool to evaluate the therapeutic effect for PF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) on 12/17/2021 with the following code: ChiCTR-INR-2,100,054,439.

The association between refractory plantar fasciitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy and peripheral spondyloarthritis: a report of human leukocyte antigen B-27 investigation and treatment outcome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the presence of peripheral spondyloarthritis and investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with concurrent peripheral spondyloarthritis in those presenting with refractory plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy by conducting human leukocyte antigen B-27 (HLA-B27) testing. METHODS: This retrospective study aimed to investigate patients who complained of persistent pain and significant limitations in daily activities due to their respective foot pain, despite receiving conservative treatment for over one year under the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis or insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The study included 63 patients who underwent HLA-B27 testing. The patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of HLA-B27 positivity. The Mann-Whitney U test assessed significant relationships between continuous variables, and the chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: Among the 63 included patients, HLA-B27 positivity was confirmed in 11 patients (17.5%), which was significantly associated with a lower average age (22.8 years versus 31.7 years, P = 0.01) and a substantially lower proportion of females compared to HLA-B27-negative patients (9.1% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.001). Ten of the 11 patients initiated treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) combined with oral steroids as the first-line medication after being diagnosed as HLA-B27 positive. Six patients experienced pain relief with the first-line medication (60%). Four patients who did not achieve pain control with the first-line medication received tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors as the second-line medication. Two patients experienced pain relief, while two experienced reduced but persistent pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with "refractory" plantar fasciitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy, 17.5% were diagnosed with peripheral spondyloarthritis. Patients diagnosed with peripheral spondyloarthritis had a higher proportion of men and relatively younger mean age compared to those without the diagnosis. Approximately 70% of these patients achieved symptom improvement in foot and ankle joints by taking conventional synthetic DMARDs, TNF-α inhibitors, or both appropriate for spondyloarthritis.

Common Painful Foot and Ankle Conditions: A Review.

Importance: Morton neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy are foot and ankle conditions that are associated with pain and disability, but they can respond to nonoperative treatment. Observations: Morton neuroma, consisting of interdigital neuronal thickening and fibrosis, is characterized by burning pain in the ball of the foot and numbness or burning pain that may radiate to the affected toes (commonly the third and fourth toes). First-line nonoperative therapy consists of reducing activities that cause pain, orthotics, and interdigital corticosteroid injection; however, approximately 30% of patients may not respond to conservative treatment. Plantar fasciitis accounts for more than 1 million patient visits per year in the US and typically presents with plantar heel pain. Fifteen years after diagnosis, approximately 44% of patients continue to have pain. First-line nonoperative therapy includes stretching of the plantar fascia and foot orthotics, followed by extracorporeal shockwave therapy, corticosteroid injection, or platelet-rich plasma injection. Midportion Achilles tendinopathy presents with pain approximately 2 to 6 cm proximal to the Achilles insertion on the heel. The primary nonoperative treatment involves eccentric strengthening exercises, but extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be used. Conclusions and Relevance: Morton neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy are painful foot and ankle conditions. First-line therapies are activity restriction, orthotics, and corticosteroid injection for Morton neuroma; stretching and foot orthotics for plantar fasciitis; and eccentric strengthening exercises for Achilles tendinopathy.

Clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of fasciitis pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in reducing pain associated with fasciitis. By synthesizing the findings from multiple studies, we aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current evidence regarding the efficacy of BoNT-A in the treatment of fasciitis pain. METHODS: To identify studies for our report, we conducted electronic database searches of Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to November 20, 2022. We included only randomized controlled trials that examined the therapeutic effects of BoNT-A on fasciitis pain, with the primary outcome measure being the visual analog scale. We conducted statistical analyses using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: Our final meta-analysis comprised 14 randomized controlled trials involving 537 participants, with 271 patients in the BoNT-A group and 266 patients in the control group. The overall effectiveness of BoNT-A in reducing fasciitis pain was significant, with a mean difference (MD) in visual analog scale score of -2.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.36, -1.82); P < .00001; I2 = 88%. Subgroup analysis revealed that BoNT-A was particularly effective in treating plantar fasciitis (MD = -3.34 [95% CI, -4.08, -2.78]; P < .00001; I2 = 75%), lumbar back fasciitis (MD = -2.17 [95% CI, -3.82, -0.52]; P = .001; I2 = 93%), and neck and shoulder fasciitis (MD = -1.49 [95% CI, -2.76, -0.22]; P = .02; I2 = 61%). CONCLUSION: BoNT-A has a significant analgesic effect on fasciitis pain. Therefore, BoNT-A presents a promising alternative treatment option for fasciitis (PROSPERO 2022: CRD42022382805).

Does the slope and length of the plantar calcaneal spur affect the clinic?

Since some of the patients with plantar calcaneal spur (PCS) do not have pain, we aimed to investigate the effect of the slope and length of the spur on this situation. The length and slope of PCS were measured by examining the radiological images of 50 patients in this prospective study. VAS, AOFAS and FFI scores of the patients were determined. Patients were divided into groups according to PCS length and slope. According to the slope of the spur, the mean AOFAS, FFI and VAS scores were, respectively; 94, 38, 1.3 in below 20 degrees; 80.1, 86.8, 4.8 in 20-30 degrees; and 70.1, 106, 6.7 in above 30 degrees. According to the length of the spur, the mean AOFAS, FFI and VAS scores were respectively; 84.9, 68.2, 3.7 in those with length 0-5 mm; 81.1, 81.7, 4.5 in those with a length of 5-10 mm; and 71.7, 102.5, 6.4 in those with a length of >10 mm. A significant correlation was found between the angle and length of the PCS with the values of VAS, AOFAS and FFI (p<0.05). We observed that PCSs with a slope of less than 30 degrees and shorter than 10 mm do not create a serious clinical picture. If there is severe pain and functional impairment in individuals with this characteristic spur, investigation of other possible causes of heel pain must be considered.

Is there an association between plantar fasciitis and knee osteoarthritis?

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and plantar fasciitis share similar risk factors including ageing, occupation, obesity, and inappropriate shoe wear. However, the association between knee OA and heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis has received limited attention to date. AIM: We aimed to assess the prevalence of plantar fasciitis using ultrasound in patients with knee OA and to identify factors associated with plantar fasciitis in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with Knee OA, fulfiling the European League Against Rheumatism criteria. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and the Lequesne indexes were used to evaluate pain and function of the knees. The Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) was used to estimate foot pain and disability. Each patient underwent a physical examination, plain radiographs of the knees and the heels, and an ultrasound examination of both heels to find signs of plantar fasciitis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: We included 40 knee OA patients, with a mean age of 59.85 ± 9.65 years [32-74] and a male-to-female ratio of 0.17. The mean WOMAC was 34.03 ± 19.9 [4-75]. The mean Lequesne for knees was 9.62 ± 4.57 [3-16.5]. Among our patients, 52% (n = 21) experienced heel pain. The heel pain was severe in 19% (n = 4). The mean MFPDI was 4.67 ± 4.16 [0-8]. Limited ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were noted in 47% of patients (n = 17) each. High and low arch deformities were seen in 23% (n = 9) and 40% (n = 16) of patients. Ultrasound revealed a thickened plantar fascia in 62% (n = 25). An abnormal hypoechoic plantar fascia was noted in 47% (n = 19), with the loss of normal fibrillar architecture in 12 cases (30%). No Doppler signal was exhibited. Patients with plantar fasciitis had significantly limited dorsiflexion (n = 2 (13%) versus n = 15 (60%), p = 0.004) and plantar flexion (n = 3 (20%) versus n = 14 (56%), p = 0.026). The range of supination was also less important in the plantar fasciitis group (17.73 ± 4.1 vs. 12.8 ± 6.46, p = 0.027). The low arch was statistically more present in patients with plantar fasciitis (G1: 36% [n = 9] vs. G0: 0% [n = 0], p = 0.015). However, the high arch deformity was statistically more present in patients without plantar fasciitis (G1: 28% [n = 7] vs. G0: 60% [n = 9], p = 0.046). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factor for plantar fasciitis in knee OA patients was limited dorsiflexion (OR = 3.889, 95% CI [0.017-0.987], p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our work showed that plantar fasciitis is frequent in knee OA patients, with reduced ankle dorsiflexion being the main risk factor for plantar fasciitis in these patients.

Do the presence, size, and shape of plantar calcaneal spurs have any significance in terms of pain and treatment outcomes in patients with plantar fasciitis?

BACKGROUND: : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the presence, size, or type of calcaneal spurs on pain or the outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) therapy in patients with plantar fasciitis. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis who had no pain in the contralateral foot, either currently or in the past, were included in the study. The length, base width, type, and presence of plantar calcaneal spurs in both heels of the patients were determined using radiography. A total of five sessions of ESWT (3 bar, 2000 shocks/session, 12 Hz frequency) with an interval of 3 days were performed on the painful sides of the patients. Symptom duration and numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were recorded pretreatment and 1 week and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: : Spurs were detected in 85.1% of painful feet and 71.6% of painless feet, this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.046). There was no significant correlation between the type of the spurs and whether the foot was painful. Patients with spur sizes of >5 mm or with horizontal and hooked spurs had a higher NRS decrease than patients with spur sizes of ≤5 mm or with a vertical spur. Symptom duration, spur length, and base width were found to be correlated with pretreatment NRS scores. DISCUSSION: The presence and size of calcaneal spurs are associated with pain. However, it should be kept in mind that a high rate of spurs can also be found in painless feet, so spur is not the only factor that causes pain. Patients with a spur size of ≤5 mm or a vertical spur have less pain relief with ESWT.

The effect of dextrose prolotherapy versus placebo/other non-surgical treatments on pain in chronic plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Prolotherapy is the injection of a small volume of sclerosing or irritant solutions into an injured tissue. We aimed to investigate the effect of dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) versus placebo/other non-surgical treatments on pain in chronic plantar fasciitis. METHODS: We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, ProQuest, CENTRAL, PEDro) from inception to December 31, 2021 with no language restriction for publications comparing the effect of DPT with placebo/other non-surgical treatments in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Our primary outcome was pain and the secondary outcomes were foot function and plantar fascia thickness. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. RESULTS: Overall, eight studies with a total of 449 patients were included in the meta-analysis. All the included studies reported short-term pain. A large effect size (dppc2 = -0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.84 to -0.10) was observed favoring the use of DPT to reduce pain in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis in the short-term. The results for foot function improvement (dppc2 = -1.28, 95% CI -2.49 to -0.07) and plantar fascia thickness reduction (dppc2 = -1.02, 95% CI -1.99 to -0.05) in the short-term were also in favor of DPT. CONCLUSIONS: Since almost all the included studies had high risk of bias and multiple trials lacked long-term follow-ups, further high-quality research is required to determine the long-term effects of DPT vs placebo/other non-surgical interventions.

Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Dextrose Versus Corticosteroid in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Management: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

DESIGN: Chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of chronic heel pain, with different conventional treatment options. In this randomized clinical trial, the effect of ultrasound-guided injection of dextrose versus corticosteroid in chronic PF was evaluated and compared. METHODS: A total of 44 patients suffering from chronic PF who visited the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were enrolled in the study. Two table-randomized groups were formed. They received an ultrasonography-guided, single injection of either 40 mg methylprednisolone or 20% dextrose. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire with 2 subscales, Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-A) and Sports (FAAM-S), along with ultrasonographic parameters were evaluated before and at 2 and 12 weeks after the injection. Results. A total of 40 participants completed the study. Both interventions significantly improved pain and function at 2 and 12 weeks postinjection. After 2 weeks, compared with the dextrose prolotherapy, the corticosteroid group had significantly lower daytime and morning NRS scores (2.55 vs 4.1, P = .012, and 2.75 vs 4.65, P = .004), higher FAAM-S (66.84 vs 54.19; P = .047), and lower plantar fascia thickness at insertion and 1 cm distal to the insertion zone (3.89 vs 4.29 mm, P = .004, and 3.13 vs 3.48 mm, P = .002), whereas FAAM-A was similar in both groups (P = .219). After 12 weeks, all study variables were statistically similar between corticosteroid and dextrose prolotherapy groups. No injection-related side effects were recorded in either group. CONCLUSION: Both methods are effective. Compared with dextrose prolotherapy, our results show that corticosteroid injection may have superior therapeutic effects early after injection, accompanied by a similar outcome at 12 weeks postinjection. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Effects of dry needling and stretching exercise versus stretching exercise only on pain intensity, function, and sonographic characteristics of plantar fascia in the subjects with plantar fasciitis: a parallel single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Plantar fasciitis is a common problem in the foot region which has negative considerable impact on foot function. METHODS: In this parallel blinded randomized controlled trial, a total of thirty-seven subjects with plantar fasciitis (forty feet) were enrolled randomly to either the control group (stretching exercise) or the experimental group (stretching exercise plus dry needling). All interventions lasted six weeks and both groups were followed for two weeks. Primary outcomes were first step pain, pain, and activity daily function subscales of the FAOS questionnaire and secondary outcomes were plantar fascia thickness, and echogenicity. RESULTS: The mixed model ANOVAs showed significant group × time interactions for all primary outcomes. In both groups, first step pain and both subscales of the FAOS questionnaire were improved compared to baseline measurements. There were considerable differences between the two groups and the experimental group experienced more improvements in primary outcomes compared to the control group. For secondary outcomes, plantar fascia thickness at insertion significantly decreased, and the echogenicity in the two regions significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of dry needling and stretching exercises can be an effective conservative treatment for plantar fasciitis subjects.

The effects of a custom foot orthosis on dynamic plantar pressure in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia supports the longitudinal arch and absorbs ground reaction forces during the static and dynamic phase(s) of weight-bearing. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial study was to determine the effects of CAD/CAM foot orthoses that were designed based on the dynamic plantar pressure in patients with plantar fasciitis. METHODS: This study was performed on 34 patients with plantar fasciitis. Outcomes were compared based on plantar fascia thickness; peak pressure, mean pressure, and maximum force; and pain, activity of daily living, quality of life, and sports activity that were evaluated by ultrasound, plantar pressure platform, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, respectively. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the experimental group (CAD/CAM orthoses and night splint) and the control group (night splint only). All data were recorded again after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pain ( P = 0.002) and plantar fascia thickness ( P = 0.001) decreased significantly after 1 month of intervention. Activity of daily living ( P = 0.044) and quality of life ( P = 0.001) showed a significant increase. There was a trend in increasing peak pressure in all masking regions in both groups. The maximum force remarkably reduced in the experimental group in all regions. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that CAD/CAM foot orthoses designed based on dynamic plantar pressure with night splint can reduce the plantar fascia thickness and pain associated with plantar fasciitis and increase the activity of daily living, quality of life, and sports activity.

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.

Age, Body Mass Index, and Spur Size Associated with Patients' Symptoms in Plantar Fasciitis.

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain affecting 10% of the general population. This study aimed to investigate the specific symptoms in patients with plantar fasciitis using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) questionnaire and their relationship with demographic and radiographic factors. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 73 consecutive patients (mean age, 53.8 ± 10.0 years; 20 men and 53 women) with plantar fasciitis who had visited our foot and ankle clinic and undergone weight-bearing foot X-ray examinations. Their demographic data, anteroposterior and lateral talo-first metatarsal angles, intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles, and responses to the FAOS questionnaire were recorded. Results: The quality-of-life subscale showed the lowest score of all FAOS subscales. Age was significantly correlated with quality of life (r = 0.297, p = 0.011), and body mass index was correlated with the function in sports and recreational activities (r = -0.251, p = 0.032). Age and body mass index were statistically significantly correlated with calcaneal spur size (r = 0.274, p = 0.027 and r = 0.324, p = 0.008, respectively). The calcaneal spur size was significantly correlated with pain (r = -0.348, p = 0.004), function in daily living (r = -0.410, p = 0.001), and function in sports and recreational activities (r = -0.439, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Demographic factors were associated with specific symptoms in patients with plantar fasciitis. Calcaneal spur size was the only radiographic parameter correlated with symptoms. These findings help communicate with patients, set appropriate treatment goals, and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

What do we actually know about a common cause of plantar heel pain? A scoping review of heel fat pad syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The heel fat pad is an important structure of the foot as it functions as a cushion to absorb shock and distribute plantar force during ambulation. Clinical practice guidelines or decision support platforms emphasize that heel fat pad syndrome (HFPS) is a distinct pathology contributing to plantar heel pain. We aimed to identify and synthesize the prevalence, etiology and diagnostic criteria, and conservative management of HFPS. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in May 2021 and updated in April 2022, using MEDLINE, Scopus, Cinahl, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and PEDro and ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) for pertinent registrations. We included all study types and designs describing the prevalence; etiology and diagnostic criteria; and non-pharmacological, non-surgical interventions for HFPS. RESULTS: We found a small body of original research for HFPS (n = 7). Many excluded full-text articles were expert-opinion articles or studies of heel fat pad in participants with plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy or unspecified heel pain. HFPS may be the second leading cause of plantar heel pain, based on two studies. A number of differentiating pain characteristics and behaviors may aid in diagnosing HFPS vs. plantar fasciopathy. Thinning heel fat pad confirmed by ultrasonography may provide imaging corroboration. Randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of viscoelastic heel cups or arch taping for managing HFPS do not exist. CONCLUSIONS: The research literature for HFPS is sparse and sometimes lacking scientific rigor. We have identified a substantial knowledge gap for this condition, frequent inattention to distinguishing HFPS from plantar fasciopathy when describing plantar heel pain, and an absence of robust clinical trials to support the commonly recommended conservative management of HFPS.

Intensive physiotherapy versus home-based exercise and custom-made orthotic insoles in patients with plantar fasciitis: Pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective pilot study assessed the feasibility of comparing intensive physiotherapy group (IPG), home-based exercise (HBEG) group, and insole group (IG) to find the most effective treatment program for plantar fasciitis. METHODS: Thirty-nine individuals with plantar fasciitis were selected to participate in this pilot study. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups, as IPG (manual interventions, exercise, insoles), HBEG (exercise, insoles), and IG (insoles). The feasibility details including percentage of the enrollment and adherence to the groups were recorded. Pain was measured with a visual analog scale, and dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM), foot function, and health-related quality of life were evaluated at the baseline and week 6. One-way ANOVA analysis and Kruskal Wallis test were used to determine the differences of the percentage change of the parameters. RESULTS: Pain and functional evaluation results showed improvements clinically in all of groups and quality of life results were similar for all groups. There was no difference between the groups after 6 weeks of treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 3 treatment programs were found clinically applicable with high patient adherence. According to the data all intervention types were found moderately effective for pain and function. Insoles could be an option applied alone or with other treatments, and manual techniques gave better results in patients with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Although the results should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size, these results were found promising and feasible to conduct a future RCT. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RCT 06144834.

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.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Foot and Ankle Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was first introduced into clinical practice in 1982 and has been a beneficial inclusion to the noninvasive treatment option of numerous orthopaedic pathologies. However, clinical evidence of the use of ESWT for various foot and ankle disorders has been limited with a consensus on its efficacy yet available. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature, to provide a critical evaluation and meta-analysis for the use of ESWT in foot and ankle disorders. METHODS: The PubMed and Embase databases were systematically reviewed and clinical studies that reported ESWT use for various foot and ankle disorders included. RESULTS: A total of 24 clinical studies that included 12 randomized controlled trials and 12 case series were identified. Analysis of the evidence has indicated that ESWT can help manage plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, Achilles tendinopathy and Morton's neuroma. Meta-analysis of the change in pre- to post-VAS overall scores for plantar fasciitis significantly favored ESWT compared to placebo/conservative treatment with a MD -3.10 (95% CI, -4.36 to -1.83; I2 = 68%; P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence has suggested that ESWT can provide symptomatic benefit to plantar fasciitis treatment, with minimal and unremarkable side effects. Overall, ESWT has been demonstrated to be a safe treatment option with a favorable complication profile. Further well-designed studies of ESWT for the treatment of calcaneal spurs, Achilles tendinopathy and Morton's neuroma are warranted to more soundly and safely support its current use. Future studies are suggested to investigate the optimization of ESWT treatment protocols.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is paresthesia and pain in the foot and ankle caused by entrapment and compression of the tibial nerve within the fibro-osseous tarsal tunnel beneath the flexor retinaculum. The most helpful diagnostic criteria are a positive Tinel sign at the ankle and objective sensory loss along the distribution of the tibial nerve. Treatment is designed to reduce the compression of the nerve, and surgical nerve release is indicated with failure of conservative options. It is important to identify the causative factor of the nerve compression and eliminate it to obtain excellent results.