Hi,
Article of possible interest to mailbasers.
Cheers,
Joel.
Authors: Wearing, SC; Smeathers, JE; Yates, B; Sullivan, PM; Urry, SR;
Dubois, P
Title: Sagittal movement of the medial longitudinal arch is unchanged in
plantar fasciitis
Source: MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 36 (10): 1761-1767 OCT
2004
Abstract:
Background: Although a lowered medial longitudinal arch has been cited as a
causal factor in plantar fasciitis, there is little experimental evidence
linking arch motion to the pathogenesis of the condition. This study
investigated the sagittal movement of the arch in subjects with and without
plantar fasciitis during gait. Methods: Digital fluoroscopy was used to
acquire dynamic lateral radiographs from 10 subjects with unilateral plantar
fasciitis and 10 matched control subjects. The arch angle and the first
metatarsophalangeal joint angle were digitized and their respective maxima
recorded. Sagittal movement of the arch was defined as the angular change
between heel strike and the maximum arch angle observed during the stance
phase of gait. The-thickness of the proximal plantar fascia was determined
from sagittal sonograms of both feet. ANOVA models were used to identify
differences between limbs with respect to each dependent variable.
Relationships between arch movement and fascial thickness were investigated
using correlations. Results: There was no significant difference in either
the movement or maximum arch angle between limbs. However, subjects with
plantar fasciitis were found to have a larger metatarsophalangeal joint
angle than controls (P < 0.05). Whereas the symptomatic and asymptomatic
plantar fascia were thicker than those of control feet (P < 0.05),
significant correlations were noted between fascial thickness and peak arch
and metatarsophalangeal joint angles (P < 0.05) in the symptomatic limb
only. Conclusions: Neither abnormal shape nor movement of the arch are
associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. However, arch mechanics may
influence the severity of plantar fasciitis once the condition is present.
Digital flexion, in contrast, has a protective role in what might be a
bilateral disease process.
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