The Relationship Between Plantar Fascia and Achilles Tendon Thickness Asymmetry and Spatio-temporal Parameters of Gait

Investigation of the Relationship Between Plantar Fascia and Achilles Tendon Thickness Asymmetry and Spatio-temporal Parameters of Gait in Healthy Individuals

There are studies on loading the foot with an increase in the thickness of the Plantar Fascia and Achilles Tendon.

However, no study was found that evaluated the relationship between morphological features such as plantar fascia and Achilles tendon thickness and spatio-temporal parameters of gait in healthy individuals.

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between the asymmetry in the thickness of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and the asymmetry in the spati-temporal parameters of gait.

Healthy adult volunteers aged 20-40 will participate in the research. Demographic data of the participants will be recorded in the study. Following this, a clinical evaluation of the foot and ankle will be made. The Optogait Photoelectric Cell System (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) device will be used to record the spatio-temporal parameters of gait, and the Sonostar Double Head Wireless Mini Ultrasound device (Sonostar Inc., China) will be used to assess the thickness of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendons.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being physically healthy (No symptoms or complaints at the moment, and no disease or trauma affecting the musculoskeletal system in the last 6 months)
• Being 20-40 years old
• Body Mass Index (BMI) being within the limits accepted as normal (18.5-24.9kg/m2) according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Classification of foot type as normal (API score= 0 to +5) as a result of the evaluation made with the Foot Posture Index (API) (38)
• Not having done any compelling (jogging, walking, weight or resistance training, yoga, pilates, aerobics, collective exercise sessions such as stepping…) exercises and activities in the last 2 days before the evaluation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Disease or problems that may affect walking (plantar fasciitis, having to use walking aids, visual or hearing impairment, other problems related to the lower extremities or spine)
• Having undergone orthopedic trauma or surgery involving the lower extremity
• Having symptoms of severe shortness of breath or intolerance of walking while walking
• Person; have a medical history that may indicate an increased risk of falling, such as fainting of unknown cause, blood sugar imbalance, unstable low or high blood pressure
• Congenital (pes planus, pes cavus, pes equinovarus, vertical talus, etc.) or acquired (pes planus and planovalgus, pes cavus, other deformities associated with foot arches…) foot deformity defined by clinical evaluation
• Presence of cardiovascular, neurological or musculoskeletal orthopedic or rheumatological disease or systemic disease associated with diabetes, connective tissue disorder
• In addition, hypoechoic areas, perifascial fluid, and plantar fascia thickness measuring more than 4 mm during ultrasound imaging (39).