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. 2023 Mar 4;15(3):e35764.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.35764. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Indian Patients With Plantar Fasciitis and Its Clinical Correlation: A Prospective Observational Study

Suhas Aradhya Bm  1 , Vivek Tiwari  1 , Ashwini M Bakde  2 , Samir Dwidmuthe  1 , Mainak Roy  1
Affiliations

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Indian Patients With Plantar Fasciitis and Its Clinical Correlation: A Prospective Observational Study

Suhas Aradhya Bm et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis is a debilitating clinical condition and is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The risk factors include frequent and prolonged running, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, work-related weight bearing, and inappropriate footwear. Ultrasonography being a non-invasive, cost-effective, and easily available modality is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 30 patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis. The diagnosis was based on history and examination. Heel pad thickness and plantar fascia thickness were recorded using ultrasonography.

Results: The ultrasonography results showed increased plantar fascia and heel pad thickness in the affected limb with plantar fasciitis than the normal one (p<0.001). The BMI was positively correlated with the heel pad thickness (p<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed 90% sensitivity and 60% specificity for heel pad thickness (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Ultrasonography is a sensitive and specific tool to identify patients with plantar fasciitis.

Keywords: body mass index; footwear; heel fat pad; indian patients; plantar fasciitis; ultrasonography; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Ultrasonographic picture showing normal heel pad thickness (yellow arrows)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Ultrasonographic picture showing the thickened and hypoechoic plantar fascia
Figure 3
Figure 3. Footwear preferences among participants (n=30)
Figure 4
Figure 4. The ROC curve for heel pad thickness in ultrasonography
ROC: Receiver operating characteristic
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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