ASSOCIATION AMONG PAIN, SKIN BLOOD FLOW AND TEMPERATURE, PLANTAR FASCIA AND FLEXOR DIGITORUM BREVIS THICKNESS, AND FOOT FUNCTION INDEX IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis, the impairments include pain, changed skin blood flow (SBF) and temperature, changed plantar fascia (PF) and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) thickness, and affected foot function index. However, the association is still unknown. Objective: The study aimed to determine the association among pain, SBF and temperature, PF and FDB thickness, and foot function index in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Methods: Thirty-two individuals with unilateral plantar fasciitis were interviewed for demographic data and assessed for pain at the first step in the morning (Painm), pain at rest (Painr), and pain at 80 N/cm2 pressure (Pain80) by visual analog scale (VAS), SBF, and skin temperature (ST) by laser dropper flowmetry (LDF), PF and FDB thickness by ultrasound imaging (USI), and foot function by foot functional index (FFI). The association was analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: A significant correlation was found among Painm and Painr, Pain80, SBF, PF, and FFI. Painr was correlated with SBF, and FFI. Pain80 was also correlated with FFI. SBF was correlated with ST and FFI. Conclusions: The association among pain, PF thickness, and FFI was reported in individuals with plantar fasciitis, which can be meaningful relationship between clinical outcomes and ultrasonographic evidence.