Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Plantar Fascia Bands

Abstract

The authors measured the thickness of the medial, central, and lateral bands of the plantar fascia using ultrasonographic techniques in 109 symptomatic patients with 211 painful heels. Plantar fasciitis was diagnosed by the presence of plantar heel pain and tenderness of the plantar fascia on palpation and was correlated with plantar fascia thickness. All of the symptomatic feet had medial band tenderness, with an average thickness of 5.9 mm, 68% had central band tenderness, with an average thickness of 5.3 mm, and 26% had lateral band tenderness, with an average thickness of 4.4 mm. The average thickness of all symptomatic bands was 5.35 mm, which was significantly greater than that for all asymptomatic bands, which was 2.70 mm. There were also significant differences in the thickness of the three plantar fascia bands in symptomatic patients. A plantar fascia index was established consisting of the ratio of the mean thickness of symptomatic medial, central, and lateral plantar fascia bands to that of asymptomatic bands; for this study, the index value is 1.98 (5.35/2.70 mm).

Diagnostic imaging for chronic plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…However, two studies could not be included: one study [31] reported data separately for the medial, central and lateral components of the plantar fascia, and another study [30] did not report the standard deviation of the mean plantar fascia thickness values.…”

Imaging of plantar fascia disorders: findings on plain radiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

“…2 and 4) [16, 47–57]. Hyperaemia is a well-known feature of tendinopathy due to neurovascular growth and may contribute to pain.…”

Plantar fasciitis – to jab or to support? A systematic review of the current best evidence

“…Therefore, it is essential that podiatry management strategies for plantar fasciitis are underpinned by EBP principles to ensure that optimal outcomes are attained. Although most commonly described as an inflammatory condition (plantar fasci’ itis ), researchers have questioned the presence of inflammation in this condition 4,5. Plantar fasciitis is reported to commonly occur in runners and those who are overweight 6–9.…”

“…Despite this limited evidence base, in clinical practice, CFO and CSI remain popular, possibly driven by patient expectations and fee for service model. Confounding these issues are the known side effects, discomfort, and injection pain respectively for the use of CFO and CSI 4,5,23–26…”