Plantar pressure distribution features in athletes with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the leading causes of heel pain in athletes. Since the disease etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood, determination of impaired biomechanical patterns will make it possible to develop effective and safe therapeutic strategies. The study was aimed to reveal biomechanical changes typical for athletes with PF. Analysis of the results of baropodometric examination of 60 athletes, who were assessed and treated at the Federal Research and Clinical Center of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation of FMBA of Russia due to foot disorders (1–2 degree combined platypodia and PF), was conducted. Athletes were divided into two groups based on the fact of having/not having a verified diagnosis of PF. The study involved 24 males (40%) and 36 females (60%), the athletes’ median age was 24 (19; 28) years. During the study we noted a trend towards higher incidence of PF in female athletes (р = 0.066). Hammertoe deformity was often found in athletes with PF (р < 0.05). Athletes with combined platypodia and PF showed overload or insufficient load in the posterior part of the affected foot, depending on pain severity, in static tests (r = 0.592, р = 0.001). The dynamic tests revealed deformation of the general pressure vector and changes in the general center of pressure velocity (р < 0.01). Baropodometric examination showed that athletes with PF had deficit or excess increase of plantar pressure in the heel of the affected foot, along with deformation of the general pressure vector.