EVALUATION OF PLANTAR FASCIA THICKNESS ACCORDING TO THE MORPHOMETRIC OF THE FOOT

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In our study, it was aimed to examine the relationship among plantar fascia thickness, foot morphometric values, and Achilles tendon thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on young volunteers who did not engage in any active regular sports. In total, morphometric measurements were performed on 64 feet (17 men, 15 women). The thickness of the plantar fascia on the ultrasound image was measured. Foot length, foot width, heel width, and ankle circumference were used as foot morphometric variables. RESULTS: It was determined that the plantar fascia thickness was greater than 4 mm in 14.7% of young healthy male individuals. The plantar fascia thickness was found to be less than 3.6 mm in all young female individuals. In men, plantar fascia thickness was found to be moderately positively correlated with foot length and ankle circumference (p<0.05). However, it was interesting that there was no correlation between plantar fascia thickness and foot width. When all the participants were evaluated together, a moderate positive correlation was found between plantar fascia thickness and foot length, ankle circumference, and Achilles tendon thickness, while a weak correlation was found with foot width and heel diameter (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of foot morphometry and plantar fascia data to the literature, depending on different racial and geographical conditions, allows anatomists and anthropologists to make necessary comparisons. To support the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, the accepted “plantar fascia thickness greater than 4 mm” should be reviewed and discussed separately for both men and women.