Normal Plantar Fascia Thickness in Adult (original) (raw)

Effect of gender, age and anthropometric variables on plantar fascia thickness at different locations in asymptomatic subjects

European Journal of Radiology, 2007

The study was aimed to investigate plantar fascia thickness at different locations in healthy asymptomatic subjects and its relationship to the following variables: weight, height, sex and age. Material and methods: The study evaluates 96 feet of healthy asymptomatic volunteers. The plantar fascia thickness was measured at four different locations: 1 cm proximal to the insertion of the plantar fascia, at the insertion of the plantar fascia on the calcaneus and separate out 1 cm + 2 cm distal to the insertion. A 10 MHz linear-array transducer was used. Results: There were statistically significant differences in plantar fascia thickness at the four different locations (p < 0.001) although no differences in PF thickness were found between the two distal from insertion locations (1 and 2 cm). Multiple regression analysis showed sex as independent predictor of plantar fascia thickness at 1 cm proximal to the insertion. At origin and 1 cm distal to insertion weight was an independent predictor of plantar fascia thickness. Conclusions: There are differences of thickness at different locations of plantar fascia measured by ultrasonography. Thickness at 1 cm proximal to the insertion is influenced by sex and thickness at origin and at 1 cm distal to the insertion has a direct relationship with body weight. This could be attributed to the overloading effect that weight has on plantar fascia in healthy symptomatic subjects at these two locations. Height and age did not seem to influence as independent variables in plantar fascia thickness among non-painful subjects.

Sonographic measurement of normal plantar fascia thickness in healthy nepalese population

Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, 2016

BACKGROUND: Plantar fascitis is one of the commonest causes of heel pain. Thickening of plantar fascia is the most consistent sonological finding in plantar fasciitis.Objective: To estimate normal plantar fascia thickness in healthy Nepalese volunteers and evaluate its relationship with age, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).METHODS: The plantar fascia thickness was measured at 5mm distal to its insertion into the calcaneus using 10 MHz linear array transducer. Total 700 feet of 350 healthy volunteers were evaluated in our study. Physical examination was also performed to assess height, weight and BMI.RESULTS: The mean plantar fascia thickness among entire population, male subjects, female subjects, right side and left side were respectively 2.39±0.37 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence interval=2.36-2.42); 2.47±0.37 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence interval =2.43-2.51); 2.32±0.35 (Range 1.4-3.5; 95% confidence interval =2.28-2.36); 2.39±0.36 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence inte...

Relationship of Body Mass Index, Ankle Dorsiflexion, and Foot Pronation on Plantar Fascia Thickness in Healthy, Asymptomatic Subjects

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 2008

Background: We sought to investigate the thickness of plantar fascia, measured by means of ultrasonographic evaluation in healthy, asymptomatic subjects, and its relationship to body mass index, ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion, and foot pronation in static stance. Methods: One hundred two feet of 51 healthy volunteers were examined. Sonographic evaluation with a 10-MHz linear array transducer was performed 1 and 2 cm distal to its insertion. Physical examination was also performed to assess body mass index, ankle joint dorsiflexion, and degree of foot pronation in static stance. Both examinations were performed in a blinded manner. Results: Body mass index showed moderate correlation with plantar fascia thickness at the 1-and 2-cm locations. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion showed no correlation at either location. Foot pronation showed an inverse correlation with plantar fascia thickness at the 2-cm location and no correlation at the 1-cm location. Conclusion: Body mass index and foot supination at the subtalar joint are related to increased thickness at the plantar fascia in healthy, asymptomatic subjects. Although the changes in thickness were small compared with those in patients with symptomatic plantar fasciitis, they could play a role in the mechanical properties of plantar fascia and in the development of plantar fasciitis.

Evaluation of plantar fascia using high-resolution ultrasonography in clinically diagnosed cases of plantar fasciitis

Polish Journal of Radiology

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of high-resolution ultrasonography in the assessment of plantar fascia in individuals with heel pain, before and after treatment. Material and methods: This study was conducted from 2016 to 2019, during which time 44 clinically diagnosed patients of plantar fasciitis were compared to 50 normal volunteers. There were 25 males and 25 females in the control group and 42 females and two males in the study group. Thirty-eight patients had unilateral disease, and six patients had bilateral disease. The thickness of the plantar fascia was measured just anterior to its calcaneal attachment using ultrasonography. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated in both groups. Results: The plantar fascia was 2-4 mm thick in the control group whereas it was > 4 mm thick in 48 heels in the study group. With cutoff of > 4 mm as diagnostic of plantar fasciitis, this study had a sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 98%. BMI was increased in 60% of female patients. All patients were treated with local infiltration of corticosteroid. In 37/42 patients (43 heels) who had improved clinically, the thickness of plantar fascia was reduced to < 4 mm when assessed after six weeks of corticosteroid injection. Conclusions: Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can be easily verified by ultrasonography with plantar fascia thickness > 4 mm being suggestive of plantar fasciitis. Ultrasound can also be used to evaluate treatment response. Ultrasonography helps the clinician in confirming the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and also in assessing the response to treatment.

Application of ultrasound in the assessment of plantar fascia in patients with plantar fasciitis: a systematic review

Plantar fasciitis (PFS) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, estimated to affect 10% of the general population during their lifetime. Ultrasound (US) imaging technique is increasingly being used to assess plantar fascia (PF) thickness, monitor the effect of different interventions and guide therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review previously published studies concerning the application of US in the assessment of PF in patients with PFS. A literature search was performed for the period 2000-2012 using the Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Springer databases. The key words used were: ultrasound, sonography, imaging techniques, ultrasonography, interventional ultrasonography, plantar fascia and plantar fasciitis. The literature search yielded 34 relevant studies. Sixteen studies evaluated the effect of different interventions on PF thickness in patients with PFS using US; 12 studies compared PF thickness between patients with and without PFS using US; 6 studies investigated the application of US as a guide for therapeutic intervention in patients with PFS. There were variations among studies in terms of methodology used. The results indicated that US can be considered a reliable imaging technique for assessing PF thickness, monitoring the effect of different interventions and guiding therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS.

Clinical Utility of Ultrasound Measurements of Plantar Fascia Width and Cross-Sectional Area

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 2017

Background:We sought to develop a standardized protocol for ultrasound (US) measurements of plantar fascia (PF) width and cross-sectional area (CSA), which may serve as additional outcome variables during US examinations of both healthy asymptomatic PF and in plantar fasciopathy and determine its interrater and intrarater reliability.Methods:Ten healthy individuals (20 feet) were enrolled. Participants were assessed twice by two raters each to determine intrarater and interrater reliability. For each foot, three transverse scans of the central bundle of the PF were taken at its insertion at the medial calcaneal tubercle, identified in real time on the plantar surface of the foot, using a fine wire technique. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard errors of measurement (SEM), and limits of agreement (LOA) expressed as percentages of the mean. Reliability of PF width and CSA measurements was determined using PF width and CSA measurements f...

Sonographic evaluation of plantar fasciitis and relation to body mass index

European Journal of Radiology, 2005

We have investigated the role of sonography in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. This study evaluates 39 patients with plantar fasciitis and control group of 22 healthy volunteers. The plantar fascia thickness was measured 5 mm distal to the insertion of the calcaneus of plantar aponeurosis. Qualitative parameters such as decreased echogenity, biconvexity, perifascial fluid and calcification of plantar fascia were also noted. Mean plantar fascia thickness was measured 2.9 mm in patients with unilateral heel pain, 2.2 mm for contralateral normal heel and 2.5mm for control group. There was a statistically significant difference between heel with plantar fasciitis, contralateral normal heel and control groups (p=0.009 and 0.0001, respectively). Mean body mass index was 28 kg/m(2) in patients with heel pain and 25 kg/m2 in control group. Body mass index measurements were significantly different between plantar fasciitis and control groups. We found reduced plantar fascia echogenity in 16 cases (41%), calcaneal spur in 20 cases (51%), biconvex appearance in two cases (5.1%) and perifascial fluid in one case (2.5%). We conclude that in patients with plantar fasciitis, ultrasound may detect relatively small differences in plantar fascia thickness even in clinically unequivocal plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fascia and foot structure and function in living individual: Review

Background: Mechanical load affects the behavior of the plantar fascia14.Plantar fascia supports medial longitudinal arch both in weight bearing and locomotion. This literature review aims better comprehension about role of the plantar fascia on the structure (arch height) and function (adaptation) of the foot and ankle in living individual. Literatures were reviewed through a systematic method to establish and to analyze current knowledge, previous studies and problems. Result: Plantar fascia affects foot arch and adaptation under vertical load in living individual. Conclusion: Modification of the plantar fascia thickness under vertical load is its specific property. Relevance: In abnormal conditions of the foot and ankle in static and locomotion, plantar fascia thickness assessment is required.