Sonographic assessment of extrinsic foot muscles in patients with plantar fasciitis: A case-control study

Authors

  • Abdul Sattar Arif Khammas 1Department of Radiology Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques/Baghdad, Middle Technical University 2Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Rozi Mahmud Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Safwan Saeed Mohammed Department of Radiology Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques/Baghdad, Middle Technical University
  • Idris Ibrahim Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Hasyma Abu Hassan Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Keywords:

Plantar fasciitis, Plantar fascia, Ultrasound imaging, Extrinsic foot muscles

Abstract

Purpose: Plantar fasciitis (PFS) is the most common cause of plantar heel pain and is reported to affect 10% of the general population at any point in their lifetime. The objective of this study was to determine the differences of the thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), peroneus (PER) muscles and the PF thickness between individuals with plantar fasciitis (PFS) and healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: A total of 80 subjects were collected and divided into two groups: PFS group (n=40) and healthy group (n=40). The EDL,TA and PER muscles thickness and CSA as well as PF thickness at calcaneal insertion, 2 cm and 4 cm distal to the insertion were evaluated by ultrasound in both groups.

Results: EDL thickness (p=0.007) and CSA (p=0.015) as well as PER muscles thickness (p=0.021) and CSA (p=0.005) showed statistically significant differences for a decrease in the favor the PFS group. Furthermore, PF thickness (p<0.001) measured at: calcaneal insertion, 2 cm, and 4 cm distal to the insertion showed an increase in the PFS group, showing statistically significant differences.

Conclusion: Thickness and CSA of both EDL and PER muscles were reduced in the patients with PFS. Moreover, the PF thickness along a 4 cm distal to the insertion is affected for an increase in the patients with PFS and reported to be a greater than 4 mm at calcaneal insertion.

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Published

03-11-2025

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Original Articles