Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Biomech 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Michigan Performance Research Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Forefoot strike is increasingly being adopted by runners because it can better attenuate impact than rearfoot strike. However, forefoot strike may overload the plantar fascia and alter the plantar fascia elasticity. This study aimed to use ultrasound elastography to investigate and compare shear wave elasticity of the plantar fascia between rearfoot strikers and forefoot strikers. Read More

Foot (Edinb) 2019 Feb 11;39:50-54. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Section for Sports Traumatology M51, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Endoscopic operations for plantar fasciitis generally have good clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to record the effect of endoscopic partial fasciotomy and heel spur removal and evaluate by ultrasonography whether the fascia regenerates and the heel spur reforms.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients were evaluated before and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Mar 23. Epub 2019 Mar 23.

Podiatric Surgeon, Co-Director, and Fellowship Director, University Foot and Ankle Institute, Santa Monica, CA.

Intense therapeutic ultrasound for chronic plantar fasciitis musculoskeletal tissue pain reduction was evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial examining effectiveness, safety, and patient tolerance. In this single-blinded study, 33 patients received 2 treatments that were 4 weeks apart on plantar fascia tissue along with conservative standard of care. Patients were followed for up to 6 months after the first treatment, receiving a physical examination and diagnostic ultrasound at each follow-up visit and completing patient-/subject-reported outcome measure and Foot Function Index surveys. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Mar 23. Epub 2019 Mar 23.

Director of Research, Research & Development, Bioventus Cooperatief UA, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) can cause disabling symptoms, and some patients prefer to be treated with minimally invasive procedures. Nonanimal hyaluronic acid (NASHA) is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid product that has a prolonged intra-articular residence time. The authors report the first study of NASHA for the treatment of ankle OA. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2019 Feb;116(6):83-88

* Joint first authors; Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Halle-Wittenberg.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is characterized by pain on weight-bearing in the medial plantar area of the heel, metatarsalgia (MTG) by pain on the plantar surface of the forefoot radiating into the toes. Reliable figures on lifetime prevalence in Germany are lacking.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved from a selective search in PubMed, on guidelines from Germany and abroad, and on the authors' clinical experience. Read More

Braz J Phys Ther 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address:

Background: Plantar fasciitis is commonly found among the physically active population, including conscripts. Some studies have reported that being overweight and having psychological symptoms contribute to pain from plantar fasciitis. However, there is a lack of information regarding the physical predictors, and more research is needed to determine the relationship between such predictors and pain intensity from plantar fasciitis in conscripts. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Mar 12;9(1):4207. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Department of Orthopaedics, LongHua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

The purpose of our study is to identify the predictive factors for a minimum clinically successful therapy after extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis. The demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated. The artificial neural networks model was used to choose the significant variables and model the effect of achieving the minimum clinically successful therapy at 6-months' follow-up. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Mar;58(2):301-305

Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medeniyet University, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is a common disorder for which there is no consensus regarding an optimal treatment strategy. We hypothesized that dry needling would be as effective as the use of corticosteroid injections for treating PF while avoiding the potential adverse effects of corticosteroids. After approval was received from the institutional review board, patients diagnosed with PF were prescribed a 3-week nonoperative treatment regimen. Read More

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech 2019 ;86(1):65-71

Ortopedická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The prospective study evaluates the short-term outcomes of endoscopic treatment of calcar calcanei in patients who underwent unsuccessfully more than 6 months of conservative therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our study included 34 patients with refractory plantar fasciitis, in whom endoscopic treatment of inferior calcar calcanei with partial plantar fasciotomy was performed in the period from 01. 01. Read More

J Clin Orthop Trauma 2019 Mar-Apr;10(2):401-405. Epub 2018 Feb 23.

Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma, B&B Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Introduction: In Plantar Fasciitis, the main concern of the patients is the pain that disturbs their day to day activities. Different modalities of treatments are being used for its pain management. This study seeks to investigate and compare decrease in level of pain following treatment with Methylprednisolone injections (DMP) Vs Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in plantar fasciitis. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Assistant Professor and Chief, Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address:

The foot and ankle surgery literature lacks an analysis of studies published in general medical journals. Studies published in general medical journals have high visibility and significant impact on decision making by medical practitioners and health care policy makers. Knowledge of the subject matter and methodologic characteristics of foot and ankle publications being read by general medical practitioners and the lay public is important to the practicing foot and ankle surgeon. Read More

J Biomech 2019 Mar 12;86:102-109. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address:

Elevated impact loading can be detrimental to runners as it has been linked to the increased risk of tibial stress fracture and plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effects of foot strike pattern, step rate, and anterior trunk lean gait modifications on impact loading in runners. Nineteen healthy runners performed 12 separate gait modification trials involving: three foot strike patterns (rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot strike), two step rates (natural and 10% increased), and two anterior trunk lean postures (natural and 10-degree increased flexion). Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Feb 21;25:1392-1400. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Pain, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Traditional ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are not effective in treating plantar fasciitis, while customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed ankle-foot orthoses are effective in treating many ankle-foot diseases. This study investigated the effects of customized 3D printed AFOs on biomechanics and comfort of the plantar foot in plantar fasciitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients with bilateral plantar fasciitis aged 31-60 years participated in this study. Read More

Orthopade 2019 Mar;48(3):261-280

Klinik für Orthopädische Chirurgie und Traumatologie des Bewegungsapparats, Sektion Fuß- und Sprunggelenkchirurgie, Kantonspital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Schweiz.

"Heel pain" describes a very common reason for foot orthopedic consultation and the further differential diagnostic investigation is crucial for the choice of correct treatment. In the treatment of frequent underlying diseases, such as plantar fasciitis or insertional tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon, a variety of modern strategies are available. Rarer diseases, such as tumors or nerve entrapment syndromes must be delineated and correctly classified. Read More

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 2018 Nov;108(6):532-534

Metatarsalgia is characterized by pain in the forefoot, which is associated with increased stress over the metatarsal head region. Despite the availability of a variety of conservative or surgical treatments for this condition, a few cases have demonstrated relapse or poor response to treatment. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) can provide pain relief in patients with diverse chronic conditions without causing neural injury. Read More

J Man Manip Ther 2019 Feb 14;27(1):54-61. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

KORT Physical Therapy, Lexington, KY, USA.

: Plantar foot pain of neural origin is a challenging diagnosis to identify and treat. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the novel way in which cupping was utilized in conjunction with neural glides to better diagnose and manage a patient who presented with symptoms of peripheral neuropathic plantar foot pain. : A 65-year-old male presented to physical therapy with the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis by an orthopedic surgeon. Read More

Asian J Transfus Sci 2018 Jul-Dec;12(2):105-111

Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigargh, India.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) a common chronic musculoskeletal pain routinely diagnosed and treated in rehabilitation practices. When conservative management fails in this degenerative disease, local injections of corticosteroids, platelet rich plasma (PRP), botulinum toxin, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, surgical release are used. In our prospective randomized pilot study we compared the regenerative efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma vs Kinesiotaping with phonophoresis who were resistant to conservative management of PF. Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2019 Jan 1;23(1):122-137. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Universidad San Jorge, iPhysio Research Group, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23, km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Minimally invasive non-surgical techniques have been widely used worldwide to treat musculoskeletal injuries. Of these techniques, injectable pharmaceutical agents are the most commonly employed treatments, with corticosteroids being the most widely used drugs. The aim of this article is to review current scientific evidence as well as the effectiveness of minimally invasive non-surgical techniques, either alone or combined, for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Read More

J Rehabil Med 2019 Mar;51(3):201-208

Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, 08025 Barcelona, Spain.

Objective: To determine whether the appearance of a radial extracorporeal shock wave device affects clinical outcomes in chronic plantar fasciitis.

Study Design: Randomized controlled parallel assessor-blinded clinical trial.

Material And Methods: A total of 135 patients were assigned to 3 groups: group I, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device; group II, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device modified to give a more sophisticated appearance; group III, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device modified to give a more austere appearance. Read More

Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Dec 23. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

International Center for Hip, Knee and Foot Surgery, ATOS Clinic, Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address:

Purpose: To clarify whether endoscopic plantar fascia release is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Secondary goals were a. to compare the clinical outcome between EPFR and non-operative treatment and b. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(3):e14088

Department of Rehabilitation.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for plantar fasciitis (PF) may be beneficial. However, the convincing study investigating its effectiveness for treatment of PF was scarce. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess whether LLLT significantly relieve pain of patients with PF. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 12;2018:3594150. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7287 Institut des Sciences du Mouvement: Etienne-Jules MAREY (ISM), Equipe Plasticité des Systèmes Nerveux et Musculaire (PSNM), Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Faculté des Sciences du Sport de Marseille, CC910 - 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.

Plantar is a cause of chronic pain under the heel and bottom of the foot. One of the treatments to reduce pain consists of using plantar orthoses to address specific imbalances during foot placement or gait. The aim of the present study was to determine if reduction of pain with a treatment based on plantar orthoses is related to changes in reflexes and muscle activity of the muscles of the lower limbs. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2019 Jan;7(1):69-72

Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli 20070, Turkey.

Background: Diffuse fasciitis with psoriatic arthritis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been previously described in childhood. Here we present the first case report of a pediatric patient developing fasciitis, beyond plantar fasciitis, with psoriatic arthritis.

Case Summary: An 11-year-old female was admitted with the complaints of psoriatic rash on the body associated with severe pain in the lower extremities and arthritis in the right knee. Read More

Ann Acad Med Singapore 2018 Dec;47(12):509-515

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Introduction: Gastrocnemius recession and radiofrequency microtenotomy treat plantar fascia via different mechanisms. While studies have shown additive effects in performing plantar fasciotomy in conjunction with gastrocnemius recession, no such study exists examining the effects of performing radiofrequency microtenotomy with gastrocnemius recession. We hypothesised that performing both gastrocnemius recession and radiofrequency microtenotomy concurrently for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis is more effective than performing either procedure individually. Read More

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2018 Jan.-Mar;16(61):28-34

Department of Orthopedics, B and C Teaching Hospital, Birtamod, Jhapa.

Background Ankle and foot pain is a common clinical problem, that may be due to a variety of soft tissue and osseus abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging plays vital role for diagnosing internal derangement of the ankle joint, assessing soft tissue structures around the ankle such as tendons, ligaments, nerves and osseus structures. Method Retrospective magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the ankle and foot was done in 100 patients using 0. Read More

Foot (Edinb) 2018 Nov 28;38:30-33. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Second Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.

Background: There are conflicting reports regarding the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus autologous whole-blood (platelet poor plasma, PPP) injections for plantar fasciitis. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a single ultrasound (US)-guided PRP versus PPP injection in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

Materials And Methods: 36 patients were recruited with clinical and sonographic evidence of chronic (>6 months) plantar fasciitis, refractory to analgesics and physical therapy in a double-blinded, randomized, prospective study. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13687

Articular Orthopaedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Background: The argument on whether extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) and corticosteroid injections (CSIs) exert an equivalent pain control or which is the better treatment for plantar fasciitis (PF) in adults remains to be resolved. It is important and necessary to conduct a meta-analysis to make a relatively more credible and overall assessment about which treatment method performs better pain control in treatment of PF in adults.

Methods: From the inception to July 2018, the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for all relevant studies. Read More

J Biomech 2019 Jan 8;83:260-272. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Electronic address:

Forefoot strike becomes popular among runners because it facilitates better impact attenuation. However, forefoot strike may overload the plantar fascia and impose risk of plantar fasciitis. This study aimed to examine and compare the foot arch deformation and plantar fascia tension between different foot strike techniques in running using a computational modelling approach. Read More

Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Nov 13. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Tianjin First Center Hospital, Fukang Road No. 24, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China. Electronic address:

Background: To conduct a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of general ESWT with that of other therapies and to assess its effectiveness in chronic plantar fasciitis.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library for information from the earliest date of data collection to March 2018. Studies comparing the benefits and risks of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with those of other therapies for chronic plantar fasciitis were included. Read More

Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol 2019 May - Jun;63(3):227-232. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most frequent causes of thalalgia and disability. The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an ideal alternative to conservative treatments.

Objetive: To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment with Piezoelectric Focal Shock Waves with echographic support and maintenance of the effect at 3 and 6 months. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2019 Jan 8;61:11-15. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Laboratory Movement, Interactions, Performance (EA 4334), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France.

Background: The plantar fascia is exposed to repetitive tensile stress induced by cyclic loads associated with daily activities, such as walking and running. Due to overuse or abnormal foot alignment, insertional and distal (i.e. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Jan 15;58(1):42-46. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai, India.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a supersaturated concentration of autologous platelets that augments the natural healing response of fascia. Previous studies have shown the superiority of PRP over corticosteroids (CS) for chronic plantar fasciitis. Read More

Clin Podiatr Med Surg 2019 Jan 25;36(1):141-151. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

DeKalb Medical Center, 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, USA.

Obese patients are at higher risk for surgical complications and consist of a large portion of podiatric patients. Obese patients are additionally at increased risk of developing specific podiatric conditions, and it is important to be able to identify and appropriately treat these conditions accordingly. Initially, conservative treatment is adequate for a variety of pathologic conditions related to obesity. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2019 Jan 15;27(1):5-12. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery M, Bispebjerg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Purpose: Plantar fasciitis is a very common (lifetime incidence ~ 10%) and long-lasting injury with major impact on daily function. Combining corticosteroid injection and physical training (strength training and stretching) was hypothesized to result in a superior effect compared to each treatment separately.

Methods: A single blinded randomized controlled superiority trial conducted in 2013-2014 with a 2-year follow-up (end Sept 2016). Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2019 Apr 13;139(4):529-536. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.

Background: Corticosteroid (CS) injections have been proven to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Shock-wave (SW) therapy is another common treatment of plantar fasciitis, and several meta-analyses have documented its advantages when compared to placebo treatment. Despite this, few studies have focused on comparing the use of CS and SW in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Read More

Maturitas 2018 Dec 2;118:7-14. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, 2258, Australia.

Background: Foot problems are common in older people. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether foot problems increase the risk of falling in community-dwelling older people.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2018. Read More

Phys Ther Sport 2019 Jan 9;35:29-35. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Electronic address:

Objective: To identify the individual, anatomical, and biomechanical predictors of plantar fasciitis among novice conscripts.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Military training camp in Bangkok, Thailand. Read More

Foot Ankle Int 2019 Apr 9;40(4):439-446. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

3 Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background:: Ultrasound is a widely used diagnostic tool for patients with plantar fasciitis. However, the lack of standardization during the measurement for plantar fascia thickness has made it challenging to understand the etiology of plantar fasciitis, as well as identify risk factors, such as gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences regarding plantar fascia thickness while controlling for metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint position in the healthy and those with unilateral plantar fasciitis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Oct;97(43):e12819

Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of adult heel pain. The aim of this study is to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of various therapies for plantar fasciitis using network meta-analysis.

Methods: Studies were comprehensively searched on Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) up to December 4, 2017. Read More

PLoS One 2018 31;13(10):e0205405. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.

Study Design: Randomized, single-blinded, multi-center, parallel-group trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of adding electrical dry needling into a program of manual therapy, exercise and ultrasound on pain, function and related-disability in individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF).

Background: The isolated application of electrical dry needling, manual therapy, exercise, and ultrasound has been found to be effective for PF. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Nov - Dec;57(6):1181-1185

Professor and Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Hospital, Hamburg, Germany.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic capability of a dynamic gait analysis insole and compare its ability to detect clinical correlations to a common stationary analysis tool. Twenty-five patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were included in this prospective, blinded, diagnostic study. Conventional, stationary gait analysis on a force plate on an even surface and continuous dynamic pedobarography on a standardized course consisting of different gait tasks were performed and correlated to the disease severity. Read More

Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2018 Dec;11(4):624-634

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, 450 Broadway St, Redwood City, CA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: This review evaluates current clinical literature on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), including leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) and leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP), in order to develop evidence-based recommendations for various musculoskeletal indications.

Recent Findings: Abundant high-quality evidence supports the use of LR-PRP injection for lateral epicondylitis and LP-PRP for osteoarthritis of the knee. Moderate high-quality evidence supports the use of LR-PRP injection for patellar tendinopathy and of PRP injection for plantar fasciitis and donor site pain in patellar tendon graft BTB ACL reconstruction. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Oct 23;24:7570-7576. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medicine College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the passive stiffness of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG and LG), Achilles tendon (AT), and plantar fascia (PF) at different ankle and knee positions. MATERIAL AND METHODS Stiffness was assessed using a portable hand-held device (MyotonPRO). In 30 healthy participants (15 males, 15 females) with the knee fully extended or flexed 90°, stiffness of the MG, LG, AT, and PF was measured at 50° plantar flexion, 0° (neutral position), and 25° dorsiflexion (not for AT) of the ankle joint by passive joint rotation. Read More

Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Feb 9. Epub 2018 Feb 9.

Orthopedic surgery and traumatology service, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), Spain. Electronic address:

The purpose is to compare the effectiveness and imaging changes (US and MRI) between PRP and corticoids injections for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis, using clinical results evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS), the AOFAS clinical rating system and the modified Roles and Maudsley score, and using imaging results (US and MRI). Our hypothesis is that PRP infiltrations are a more effective therapeutic method than infiltrations with corticosteroids. A single-centre, non randomized, prospective study of 40 consecutive patients (40 feet) with plantar fasciitis who had not responded to conservative treatment for at least 6 months was undertaken. Read More

Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Apr 12. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

Foot & Ankle Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, United Kingdom.

Background: Gastrocnemius tightness is believed to be associated with multiple musculoskeletal pathologies such as back pain, plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. Although surgical treatment of gastrocnemius tightness is gaining popularity the objective definition of a gastrocnemius contracture has not been determined. The aim of our study was therefore to quantify gastrocnemius tightness in a normal population. Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2018 Nov 9;52(6):442-446. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Bursa High Specialty Research and Training Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Bursa, Turkey. Electronic address:

Objective: The aim of this study was to define a quantitative parameter to indicate which cases of plantar fasciitis will benefit from local corticosteroid injection or ESWT and to compare the efficacy of two different treatment modalities.

Methods: Seventy patients (mean age: 49.10; range: 41-58) with chronic plantar fasciitis unresponsive to conservative treatment for 3 months were treated with either betamethasone injection or extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). Read More

J Tissue Eng 2018 Jan-Dec;9:2041731418801103. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

MechanoBiology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

In this study, we report that human plantar fascia consists of two distinct tissues with differential structural properties. These tissues also contain stem/progenitor cells with differential biological properties. The mechanobiological responses of these two plantar fascia stem cells also differ in terms of expression of collagen I and IV, non-ligament-related genes, and proinflammatory genes. Read More

Radiologia 2018 Nov - Dec;60(6):465-475. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Sección de Radiología Musculoesquelética, Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a preparation for therapeutic purposes that is increasingly accepted for various musculoskeletal disorders, due to its theoretical potential to repair tissues with poor healing capacity. Several randomised clinical trials have investigated the capacity of PRP to repair tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage, and to date there is level 1a evidence to support its use for lateral epicondylitis, osteoarthritis of the knee, plantar fasciitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy; and level 1b for patellar tendinopathy and osteoarthritis of the hip. Retrospective cohort studies and case series describe promising results with PRP for treating other musculoskeletal disorders. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Oct 1;12(1):289. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Sports Medicine, Institute of Sports Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Ginnheimer Landstr. 39, 60487, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

In the publication of this article [1], there are reference errors in four positions the respective references are missing since reference Fischer [26] was omitted. Read More

Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2018 Dec;11(4):616-623

Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, 1400 S. Germantown Rd, Germantown, 38138, TN, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Platelet-rich plasma has become an increasingly popular treatment option within the orthopedic community to biologically enhance and stimulate difficult-to-heal musculoskeletal tissues. This review evaluates the recent literature on platelet-rich plasma use in the treatment of foot and ankle pathologies.

Recent Findings: Recent literature has demonstrated platelet-rich plasma to have a possible benefit in the treatment of Achilles pathology, chronic plantar fasciitis, osteochondral lesions of the talus, ankle osteoarthritis, and diabetic foot ulcers. Read More