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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim (Engl Ed) 2022 May 13. Epub 2022 May 13.

Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá DC, Colombia; Departamento de Anestesiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá DC, Colombia.

Plantar fasciitis is recognized as the leading cause of talalgia worldwide. In the vast majority of cases it can be controlled with the use of appropriate footwear, stretching exercises and changes in the sport activity, while a few cases require infiltrations or surgical interventions. The latter puts the patient at greater risk, and is reserved for the most severe cases. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2022 Apr 28. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Neurology, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Considerable variations have been reported regarding the branching pattern of tibial nerve (TN) close to its termination in foot. In order to comprehend the clinical anatomy of heel pain awareness of all the possible variations in relation to terminal branching pattern of TN (close to the tarsal tunnel) is essential. The present study was conducted to undertake a comprehensive review of the variations in tibial nerve branches in foot with particular emphasis on the implications for sensory distribution of these branches. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Apr 12;11(8). Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Ren-Ai Road, Taipei City 10051, Taiwan.

The plastic heel cup has been adopted to treat plantar heel problems for years. However, its mechanisms and biomechanical effects are yet to be fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the plastic heel cup on the microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel pad by comparing the stiffness (in terms of the shear wave speed) and thickness of these two layers with and without a plastic heel cup during static standing. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2022 Apr;36(4):446-450

Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou, 563003, P. R. China.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of peroneal perforating chimeric tissue flap in repairing the composite defects of calf and heel based on lower limb angiography, and the clinical effect.

Methods: The digital subtraction angiography images of lower limbs of 50 patients met the selection criteria between May 2011 and October 2014 were used as the research object to observe the course of peroneal artery and its perforating vessels. Based on the observation results, between April 2015 and October 2020, the peroneal perforating chimeric tissue flap was designed to repair 7 cases of composite defects of the calf and heel. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 Apr 11;12(1):6047. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK.

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that repetitive loading to the pain threshold can safely recreate overloading-induced soft tissue damage and that localised tissue stiffening can be a potential marker for injury. This concept was demonstrated here for the soft tissue of the sole of the foot where it was found that repeated loading to the pain threshold led to long-lasting statistically significant stiffening in the overloaded areas. Loading at lower magnitudes did not have the same effect. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022 10;10:853085. Epub 2022 Mar 10.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Customized foot orthosis is commonly used to modify foot posture and relieve foot pain for adult acquired flexible flatfoot. However, systematic investigation of the influence of foot orthotic design parameter combination on the internal foot mechanics remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of different combinations of foot orthoses design features through a muscle-driven flatfoot finite element model. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Mar;101(12):e29142

Sakarya University Research and Training Hospital, Adapazari, Sakarya, Turkey.

Abstract: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Pain can be persistent in some patients and interrupt daily activities and sportive activities. There are a lot of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022 Mar 30. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Objective: To determine associations between chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) and MRI- and US-derived imaging biomarkers.

Methods: We compared 218 participants with CPHP with 100 age- and sex-matched population controls. We assessed imaging biomarkers on MRI (calcaneal bone marrow lesions (BMLs), plantar fascia signal and thickness, spurs and fat pad signal) and B-mode/ power Doppler US (plantar fascia thickness, echogenicity and vascularity). Read More

Cureus 2022 Feb 23;14(2):e22532. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Orthopedics and Trauma, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, Islamabad, PAK.

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis is a painful ailment that causes frustration to both the patient and physician. Stretching exercises targeting the plantar fascia are an excellent therapy option for plantar fasciitis.

Objective: To compare the outcome of a gastrocnemius-soleus stretching program versus tendo Achilles stretching exercises for the management of chronic plantar fasciitis. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2022 Mar 22. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

SoleScience Inc., Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Background: Foot orthoses have consistently demonstrated an improvement in pain scores for plantar fasciitis. The fabrication of custom-made foot orthoses (CFOs) can vary between clinicians and may include the use of different materials and casting techniques. This cross-sectional study's objective was to quantify plantar pressure for two CFOs, one with a heel plug (HP) and one without. Read More

Praxis (Bern 1994) 2022 ;110(4):224-231

Universitäres Zentrum für Hausarztmedizin beider Basel, Universität Basel, Basel.

CME: Plantar fasciitis Plantar fasciitis is a common pathology in general practice. There are diverse treatment options described in the literature, but no simple treatment algorithm for general practice has been published yet. In this article, we present an evidence-based and simple treatment algorithm for use in busy general practices. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2022 Mar 9;15(3). Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

An 11-year-old girl presented with pain in the sinus tarsi and a foot deformity after spraining her left foot. She had flat foot due to spasticity of the peroneal tendon, which was difficult to correct manually. An imaging study revealed an accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF) and bone marrow oedema at the lateral aspect of the posterior talocalcaneal joint. Read More

Indian J Orthop 2022 Mar 8;56(3):421-428. Epub 2021 Sep 8.

Department of Orthopaedics, Preethi Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Madurai, India.

Introduction: The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest and most ruptured tendons; with no appropriate treatment it either heals in elongation or gap nonunion. Management of such chronic tears is critical and several procedures have been described. Complex gaps of over 6-8 cm need a combination technique. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022 Mar;102(9):675-678

Department of Radiology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.

Eighty-four amateur half marathon athletes (168 side feet) in Beijing from October 2018 to May 2021 were recruited, and their age, gender and whether they have foot pain were collected, including 44 males and 40 females, aged from 21 to 60 (40.7±9.3) years. Read More

Eur J Med Res 2022 Feb 23;27(1):28. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany.

Aim: Plantar enthesophyte is a common degenerative disorder. Surgical and medical treatment options are associated with either poor outcome or high percentage of relapse. Observations have indicated a beneficial effect of radiation therapy. Read More

Altern Ther Health Med 2022 Feb 18. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Background: Chronic plantar fasciitis has been historically treated with conventional physical therapy. The use of the Garston Technique® (GT) is a new intervention for the management of chronic plantar fascitis, but there is lack of evidence in the literature regarding its efficacy.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the GT on pain, foot function and general foot health in patients with plantar fasciitis. Read More

Cureus 2022 Jan 11;14(1):e21136. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.

Foot pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal complaint with plantar fasciitis being one of the most common underlying etiologies. Diagnostic imaging studies are rarely performed for patients with plantar fasciitis. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with a six-month history of left heel pain that was worsened by prolonged standing and walking. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2021 Dec;71(12):2705-2709

Department of Physical Therapy, Riphah College of Rehabilitation & Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of subtalar mobilisation technique on pain and functional disability compared to conventional physiotherapy in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Prime Care Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from January to August 2017, and comprised patients of either gender aged 30-60 years presenting with complaints of heel and foot pain, a limited range of motion at the ankle joint due to heel pain, and pain in the morning when taking the first steps or after prolonged rest. The participants were randomly assigned to intervention group A, that received subtalar mobilisation, and control group B treated with therapeutic ultrasound. Read More

Cureus 2022 Jan 2;14(1):e20871. Epub 2022 Jan 2.

Medicine, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, SAU.

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) versus ultrasound therapy (UST) in plantar fasciitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. An electronic search identifying studies comparing ESWT and UST for plantar fasciitis was conducted. Read More

J Foot Ankle Res 2022 Feb 10;15(1):14. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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. Read More

Turk J Phys Med Rehabil 2021 Dec 1;67(4):473-481. Epub 2021 Dec 1.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of peloidotherapy on pain, functional status, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis (PF).

Patients And Methods: This prospective, observational pilot study included a total of 80 patients (13 males, 67 females; mean age: 47.7±9. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2022 Apr 5;42(4):581-589. Epub 2022 Feb 5.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.

The efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remain unclear. To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of ESWT in patients with PF in axSpA. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 22 axSpA patients with PF who had heel pain above 5 according to visual analog scale (VAS) over 3 months were randomly divided into 2 groups: ESWT and sham-ESWT. Read More

J Sport Rehabil 2022 05 4;31(4):490-494. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Context: Plantar heel pain is a common problem affecting foot function, causing pain in the foot under the heel. Plantar fasciitis is commonly treated with conservative treatment, such as joint and soft tissue mobilization, self-stretching home programs, foot orthoses, and night splinting or booting. Dry needling (DN) has shown to be an effective method of treating plantar fasciitis (PF) in multiple randomized control trials. Read More

J Foot Ankle Res 2022 Feb 3;15(1):10. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.

Background: Foot and ankle pain is common, and generally viewed through a biomedical lens rather than applying a biopsychosocial model. The objectives of this review were to evaluate: (1) the psychosocial characteristics of participants with foot/ankle pain compared to participants without foot/ankle pain; (2) the association between psychosocial factors with pain and function in people with foot/ankle pain; and (3) understand the psychosocial factors associated with the lived experience of foot/ankle pain.

Methods: A mixed methods systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews. Read More

Foot Ankle Orthop 2021 Oct 28;6(4):24730114211050568. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

Weil Foot and Ankle Institute, Mount Prospect, IL, USA.

Background: Treatment of chronic refractory heel pain has evolved to consider calcaneal structural fatigue as a component of the symptom profile. While concomitant calcium phosphate injection has become a method of addressing the accompanying calcaneal bone marrow edema (BME) frequently seen in this population, there is no literature supporting its use compared to traditional fasciotomy.

Methods: Consecutive patients with symptoms of refractory infracalcaneal heel pain and calcaneal BME were treated in our practice by either surgical fasciotomy (n = 33) or fasciotomy plus calcium phosphate injection (n = 31) between 2014 and 2019. Read More

Pain Med 2022 Jan 28. Epub 2022 Jan 28.

Department of Department of Nursing, Pharmacology and Physical Therapy, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.

Objective: To assess the potential relationship between demographic (age, gender, body mass index, height, weight), clinical (affected side, duration of symptoms, health-related quality of life), psychological (depressive levels) or neuro-physiological (pressure pain sensitivity and number of trigger points -TrP-) outcomes with foot function and pain intensity in patients with unilateral plantar heel pain (PHP).

Methods: Fifty-four patients with PHP (48% females) were recruited. Demographic data, months with pain, time in standing position, depression, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), number of TrPs, health-related quality of life, function and pain intensity were collected. Read More

J Foot Ankle Res 2022 Jan 22;15(1). Epub 2022 Jan 22.

Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia.

Background: Medical imaging can be used to assist with the diagnosis of plantar heel pain. The aim of this study was to synthesise medical imaging features associated with plantar heel pain.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis conducted searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to 12th February 2021. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Dec;100(48):e27810

Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.

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. Read More

J Clin Orthop Trauma 2022 Feb 30;25:101758. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Ave., PO. Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare surgically treated clubfoot with typically developing (TD) children using plantar pressure, multi-segment-foot kinematic analysis, and multiple functional outcomes in comprehensive and long-term study. Methods: 26 patients with 45 clubfeet and 23 TD children with 45 normal feet were evaluated. Most clubfoot patients had a complete subtalar release and a few patients had a posterior medial-lateral release at the mean age of 5 years and 6 months. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021 20;9:791238. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.

The therapeutic benefit of high heel shoes (HHS) for plantar fasciitis treatment is controversial. It has been suggested that plantar fascia strain can be decreased by heel elevation of shoes which helps in body weight redistribution throughout the length of the foot. Yet it is a fact that the repetitive tension caused by HHS wearing resulting in plantar fasciitis is a high-risk disease in HHS individuals who suffer heel and plantar pain. Read More