• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the clinical findings and ultrasonographic findings of plantar fasciitis. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine symptomatic heels of 36 patients with plantar fasciitis and 21 asymptomatic heels were included. Twenty-three patients had unilateral lesions and 13 had bilateral lesions. Of these, 16 were men and 20 were women. The average age of the patients was 48.6 years. The plantar fascia thickness was measured at its insertion of the calcaneus. Qualitative parameters such as decreased echogenity, biconvexity, partial rupture and calcification of plantar fascia, and subcalcaneal spur on plain radiographs were also noted. Comparisons of ultrasonographic parameters between symptomatic heels and asymptomatic heels as well as between unilateral and bilateral groups were done. Results: There was no differences in the age, sex, body mass index, and duration of symptom between the unilateral and bilateral group. There were a statistically significant difference between the thickness of plantar fascia of unilateral group (mean 5.2 mm, SD1.5 mm) and that of bilateral group (mean 4.4 mm, SD 1.4 mm) (p=0.045). The hypoechogenity of plantar fascia and subcalcaneal spur did not differ between two groups. No fascial rupture or fascial calcification were identified. There was a statistically significant difference between the thickness of plantar fascia of symptomatic heels (mean 4.8 mm, SD1.5 mm) and that of asymptomatic heels (mean 3.1 mm, SD 0.5 mm) (p=0.000). The thickness of plantar fasia was negatively correlated with duration of symptoms (p=0.046). Conclusion: The thickness of plantar fascia in plantar fasciitis seems to be negatively correlated with the duration of symptoms, and the thickness of symptomatic heels and unilateral group was significantly thicker than that of asymptomatic heels and bilateral group, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how induced microcurrent shoes influenced changes of the blood circulation in patients with Plantar Fasciitis. Methods: Initially, the subjects were comprised of 5 males and 5 females, who agreed with this research and are more than fifty years old, but 4 of those were dropped during the experiment. They all have plantar fasciitis and pain on their feet. Subjects wore the induced microcurrent shoes for more than 4 hours everyday during 4 weeks. When they wore those shoes, they also wore the specially produced shocks made of silver-mixed thread and they were asked to avoid intense exercise. Assessments were carried out before and after walking on a treadmill and we measured changes between the test before and after 4 weeks. In the examination of the before test, general shoes were used, and in the examination of the after test, induced microcurrent shoes were used. Temperature difference was measured by thermograpy DOREX spectrum 9000MB(USA). Subjects walked total 20 minutes and during gait, the walking rate on a treadmill was increased from 2Km/h to 3Km/h after 10 minutes. We measured plantar temperature by thermograpy especially both heel, 1st, and 5th metatarsal areas. Results: Firstly, in comparison of the blood circulation on the left and right foot at 0 week and 4 weeks, it tended toward increasing blood circulation but there was. no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Secondly, in comparison of the blood circulation before and after treadmill with the induced microcurrent shoes, the blood circulation of the heel and the 5th area on the right foot was increased to all subjects(p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that subjects showed tendency to increase blood circulation in both right and left feet after wearing microcurrent shoes and specially after walking treadmill at 4 weeks. Therefore induced microcurrent shoes are useful to improve blood circulation for patients with plantar fasciitis.

• Clinical Pain
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2019

Plantar heel pain is a common clinical problem in foot and ankle clinics. Typically, several conditions such as plantar fasciitis, fat pad atrophy, and calcaneal fracture may lead to plantar heel pain. However, subcalcaneal bursitis occurred between plantar fascia and plantar fat pad has rarely been described as a cause of plantar heel pain. To our knowledge, subcalcaneal bursitis has been reported only once, but there was no mention of preceding factors. We firstly present a case of subcalcaneal bursitis occurred after excessive walking exercise known as "Nordic walking" and successfully managed with conservative treatments that relieve impact on plantar heel.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.163-167
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the results of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with chronic proximal plantar fascitis. Materials and Methods: Between April 2005 and April 2006, 35 cases (24 patients) who were followed more than 6 months were evaluated. By $EvoTron^{(R)}$, 2 sessions of ESWT (Group 1: 1200 and Group 2: 1500 shock waves / session of $0.12\;mJ/mm^2$) were performed at 2 weeks interval. The mean age was 40.0 (range, 15-59) years. 13 patients were male and 11 patients were female. Visual analogue scale (VAS) on daily activity and a 100-point scoring system including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function were used. The clinical outcomes were rated as follows: excellent, no pain on daily activity; good, less than 50% of previous VAS; fair, 50-75% of previous VAS; or poor, more than 75% of previous VAS. Excellent and good were graded as satisfactory results. We compare clinical results between groups and evaluate the relationships between clinical results and duration of symptom, fascial thickening and previous steroid injection were evaluated. Results: Overall satisfactory rate were 71.4%. There was no significant difference of clinical results between groups. And there were no significant difference between clinical results and duration of symtom, preoperative fascial thickening and previous steroid injection. Conclusions: ESWT for recalcitrant chronic proximal plantar fascitis is useful treatment method with high patient satisfaction and pain relief, but more long-term study must be needed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.81-94
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to critically review biomechanical studies on foot orthoses (FO) in normal and diseased foot and provide beneficial information obtained from researches until now and future researching focus. The search was performed by Medline and Embase database including studies published in English from January 1980 to April 2007. The searching terms were foot orthoses, foot orthotics, insoles and shoe insert. 57 studies including 54 journal articles and 3 abstracts were finally selected under the conditions of having clinical trials, FO, control condition, movement, scientific measuring system. The reviewed studies were divided into 10 categories according to subject characteristics; healthy normal, excessive pronation or flexible flat foot, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, medial knee osteoarthritis, forefoot varus, plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral syndrome, cavus foot and finite element model. In summary, first, soft and semirigid FOs with some degree of cushioning showed much higher comfort and efficacy than rigid FO. Second, no big differences between prefabricated and custom FO were shown. Third, the full length's FO was preferable to the half length's FO or simple arch supports. Fourth, the wearing of FO combining medial arch supports and metatarsal dome made positive roles to enhance comfort and functionality and redistribute plantar pressure under the foot. Fifth, for patients with knee-related diseases lateral wedges were preferable. Sixth, measuring systems were properly applied according to the types of foot diseases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.890-893
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Schwannoma is a slow-growing, encapsulated benign peripheral nerve tumor that originates from the Schwann cell of the nerve sheath. Schwannoma most frequently involves the major nerve. Schwannoma of the foot is rare. This is a report of our experience with a small, deep-seated, and non-palpable schwannoma occurring in the foot. Methods: A 42-year-old woman presented with the plantar pain of the right foot during 2 years. Physical examination did not identified a palpable mass. She made a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and was conservatively treated 2 years ago. Since her plantar foot pain was aggravated, she was recently visited again. For the evaluation of her plantar foot pain, sonographic examination of the whole right foot was performed, and it revealed a small hypoechoic hetergenous, deep-seated mass beneath the plantar aponeurosis. At operation, a $0.7{\times}0.6{\times}0.4$ cm sized, ovoid, yellowish grey mass was removed. Results: Histology was confirmed that the mass was a benign schwannoma. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Unsusual case of a schwannoma with the plantar foot pain during 2 years is presented. It should be recognized a small, deep-seated, non-palpable

• 대한정형외과스포츠의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2006.09a
• /
• pp.17-31
• /
• 2006

대개 근위부 족저근막염에 의해 야기되는 족저부 뒤꿈치 통증은 흔한 족부 질환이다. 족저근막염을 가진 대부분의 환자에서 비수술적인 치료는 효과적이지만, 통증 해결은 1년까지 요구된다. 수술이 요구된다면, 근막의 절반 이상을 유리하는 것은 기능적인 결손을 피하기 위해 배제되어야 한다. 외측 족저신경의 감압은 무지외전근의 기시부 주위에 통증이 있는 환자에서 추가된고 족저 근막 유리술의 정해진 일부분이 된다. 가끔, 족저부 뒤꿈치 골극 절제술이 필요하지만 이것은 시술의 이환율을 더하고 회복 시간을 지연시킨다.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.76-81
• /
• 1998

Chiefly, painful heel syndrome is observed at old age. Many possible reasons were bursitis, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal periostitis around the calcaneus and achilles tendon. But the exact cause was not clearly identified due to complexity of subcalcaneal pain mechanism. The incidence of calcaneal spur and overweight were significant in painful heel syndrome. Our purpose of this study was analysis of underlyng cause and correlation about bony spur and overweight in painful heel syndrome. The author used incidence of heel spur on painful heel syndrome and body mass index to evaluate overweight. The material is 55 cases of painful heel syndrome patients and 60 cases of control group. Bony spur was one of the cause of painful heel syndrome. Body weight and calcaneal spur was developing factors on painful heel syndrome. And the result was as follows. 1. Spur formation incidence is 35 cases (63.6 %) in painful heel syndrome, 8 cases (13.3%) in normal control group. So, patient's group is significantly high (p<0.01). 2. Body mass index is 26.48 in painful heel syndromes, 21.75 in normal control groups. Overweight above index 27 is 22 cases (40%) in painful heel syndromes, 3 cases (5%) m normal control groups. So, patient's group is significantly high (p<0.01). 3. In painful heel syndrome, tenderness site is 46 cases (83.6%) in medial calcaneal tuberosity, 4 cases (7.3%) in central calcaneal tuberosity, 1 cases (1.8%) in both site. 4. Underlying causes of painful heel syndrome is 19 cases (34.5%) in plantar fasciitis, 16 cases (29.1%) in calcaneal periostitis, 11 cases (20%) in bursitis, 4 cases (7.3%) in tendinitis, 2 cases (3.6%) in entrapment neuropathy.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.187-196
• /
• 2009

The foot type is classified into normal, high or low arch according to either foot print or medial longitudinal arch (MLA) height. Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, stress fracture, metatarsalgia, knee pain, shin splint pain, and etc are common foot disorders and associate to the foot type. The purpose of this study was to evaluate several suggested bony inclination used to classified the abnormal foot and if the arch index (AI) was correlated with foot morphology. Lateral view and dorso-plantar view of radiographic images and flatbed scanner measurements obtained from 57 college students were analyzed. Results showed that AI measured in this study was higher than Caucasian Americans and European, but similar with African. The ethnic origin could influent the AI distribution. The AI provided a simple quantitative means of assessing the structure of lateral and medial longitudinal arches. The correlation coefficients of true bone height with AI could be further improved by normalized foot width rather than foot length. AI also demonstrated as a good indicator of inclination between calcaneus-fifth metatarsal (CalM5) and calcaneus-first metatarsal (CalX), it is a good means to classify the foot type.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.3E
• /
• pp.119-130
• /
• 2010

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is simply evolved from extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy known as a revolutionary non-invasive technique for treating kidney stone diseases. Since ESWT was approved for treating plantar fasciitis by FDA in 2000, it has been rapidly accepted into various clinical practices. Its indication includes chronic tendinitis and pseudoarthrosis, and has been widened to various applications other than orthopeadics. Little has been reported on their acoustic properties, yet, even if a number of clinical ESWT systems are readily available. This article reviews the acoustical aspects of ESWT and discusses critical issues towards acoustic exposure optimization and shock wave dosimetry.