Thickness of the Plantar Fascia in Stretched and Relaxed Positions in Patients With Plantar Fasciopathy

Comparing Thickness of the Plantar Fascia in Stretched and Relaxed Positions and the Association With Pressure Pain Threshold in Patients With Plantar Fasciopathy

This study will compare the thickness of the plantar fascia in stretched and relaxed positions in patients with plantar fasciopathy using ultrasonography.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Plantar Fasciopathy

Detailed Description

The purpose of this observational study is to compare the thickness of the plantar fascia in stretched and relaxed positions of the most symptomatic heel in patients with plantar fasciopathy using ultrasonography.

In addition to this, we will compare measurements of the thickness of the plantar fascia in sagittal versus transversal transducer positions, compare pressure pain thresholds at the most tender spot of the plantar fascia in stretched and relaxed position using pressure algometry and investigate the association between the thickness of the plantar fascia and the pressure pain threshold. All measurements are performed bilaterally starting with the most symptomatic foot.

To compare thickness and pressure pain thresholds in stretched and relaxed positions of the plantar fascia paired-t-tests are used. To compare the most and least symptomatic sides paired-t-tests will be used.

The association between the thickness of the plantar fascia and pressure pain threshold will be investigated using the Pearson's correlation coefficient.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Aalborg, Denmark, 9220
    • Research unit for general practice

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include patients from the local community of the municipality of Aalborg, Denmark.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of plantar heel pain of at least 3 months
• Clinical presentation of pain and/or tenderness to palpation in the area of the medial tubercle of the calcaneus
• Average intensity of pain in the previous week equal to or greater than 3 on an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS)
• Thickness of symptomatic plantar fascia of 4 mm or greater

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age under 18
• Pregnancy
• History of systemic disease with manifestations similar to those of plantar fasciopathy
• Pain medication in the last 24 hours
• Steroid injection for plantar fasciopathy in the previous 6 months
• Previous heel surgery or fracture of the lower leg or foot

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Thickness of the plantar fascia in sagittal plane	The thickness will be measured in mm in stretched and relaxed positions using ultrasonography with a sagittal transducer position.	Immediately after eligibility has been confirmed

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pressure pain threshold	Measured in kPa at the most tender spot of the plantar fascia in stretched and relaxed position using pressure algometry. In non-symptomatic feet the antero-medial part of the calcaneus is used as the test site.	Immediately after eligibility has been confirmed
Thickness of the plantar fascia in transversal plane	The thickness will be measured in mm in stretched and relaxed positions using ultrasonography with a transversal transducer position	Immediately after eligibility has been confirmed

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aalborg University
• Investigators: Study Director: Henrik Riel, M.Sc., Research Unit for General Practice in Aalborg, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Ostermann S, Olesen JL, Holden S, Riel H. Stretching and relaxing the plantar fascia may change plantar fascia thickness but not pressure pain thresholds: a cross-sectional study of patients with plantar fasciopathy. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020 Dec 3;21(1):804. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03833-x.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 29, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 24, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): April 24, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 18, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): September 25, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 17, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 16, 2018
• Last Verified: May 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Plantar Fasciitis; Plantar heel pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: 59700

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED