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Clinical Trial
. 2007 May 17:8:41.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-8-41.

Obesity and pronated foot type may increase the risk of chronic plantar heel pain: a matched case-control study

Damien B Irving  1 , Jill L Cook, Mark A Young, Hylton B Menz
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Obesity and pronated foot type may increase the risk of chronic plantar heel pain: a matched case-control study

Damien B Irving et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders of the foot, yet its aetiology is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between CPHP and a number of commonly hypothesised causative factors.

Methods: Eighty participants with CPHP (33 males, 47 females, mean age 52.3 years, S.D. 11.7) were matched by age (+/- 2 years) and sex to 80 control participants (33 males, 47 females, mean age 51.9 years, S.D. 11.8). The two groups were then compared on body mass index (BMI), foot posture as measured by the Foot Posture Index (FPI), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) as measured by the Dorsiflexion Lunge Test, occupational lower limb stress using the Occupational Rating Scale and calf endurance using the Standing Heel Rise Test.

Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that the CPHP group had significantly greater BMI (29.8 +/- 5.4 kg/m2 vs. 27.5 +/- 4.9 kg/m2; P < 0.01), a more pronated foot posture (FPI score 2.4 +/- 3.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 2.3; P < 0.01) and greater ankle dorsiflexion ROM (45.1 +/- 7.1 degrees vs. 40.5 +/- 6.6 degrees; P < 0.01) than the control group. No difference was identified between the groups for calf endurance or time spent sitting, standing, walking on uneven ground, squatting, climbing or lifting. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that those with CPHP were more likely to be obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4 - 6.1, P < 0.01) and to have a pronated foot posture (FPI > or = 4) (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6 - 8.7, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Obesity and pronated foot posture are associated with CPHP and may be risk factors for the development of the condition. Decreased ankle dorsiflexion, calf endurance and occupational lower limb stress may not play a role in CPHP.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dorsiflexion lunge test procedure. An inclinometer has been placed on the anterior aspect of the tibia. The angle recorded to the vertical was used as a measure of ankle dorsiflexion ROM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Standing heel rise test procedure. The anterior aspect of the ankle is in contact with a string line at maximal ankle plantarflexion. Forward lean is monitored by a set of scales placed on a table. The number of continuous heel raises to touch the sting line was used as a measure of calf endurance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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