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

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

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Plantar Fasciopathy

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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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 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar heel pain