Contribution Levels of Intrinsic Risk Factors to the Management of Patients with Plantar Heel Pain A Pilot Study

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2016 Mar;106(2):88-92. doi: 10.7547/13-169.

Abstract

Background: Of all of the lower-extremity injuries with multifactorial causes, heel pain represents the most frequent reason for visits to health-care professionals. Managing patients with heel pain can be very difficult. The purpose of this research was to identify key variables that can influence foot health in patients with heel pain.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with 62 participants recruited from the Educational Welfare Unit of the University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain. Therapists, blinded for the study, acquired the anthropometric information and the Foot Posture Index, and participants completed the Foot Health Status Questionnaire.

Results: The most significant results reveal that there is a moderate relationship between clinical variables such as footwear and Foot Health Status Questionnaire commands such as Shoe (r = 0.515; P < .001). The most significant model domain was General Health (P < .001), with the highest determination coefficient (beta not standard = 34.05). The most significant predictable variable was body mass index (-0.110).

Conclusions: The variables that can help us manage clinical patients with heel pain are age, body mass index, footwear, and Foot Posture Index (left foot).

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / complications
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / diagnosis
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / therapy*
  • Female
  • Heel / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / epidemiology
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Young Adult