Intensity and correlation of Heel Pain with Gastrocnemius Tightness in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55735/y2tcqy23Keywords:
Gastrocnemius tightness, Heel pain, Pain intensity, Plantar fasciitisAbstract
Background: Plantar fasciitis is known as one of the most common conditions that is known to causes pain in the heels. Gastrocnemius tightness might lead to an increase in the pressure of the forefoot and heel pain, which is symptomatic even without substantial limitation in the dorsiflexion. Objective: To assess the intensity of pain in the heel among patients with plantar fasciitis with tightening of the gastrocnemius and to determine the correlation between tightening of the gastrocnemius and severity of the pain in the heel. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was completed in six months. The data for this research were collected from Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital and Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, using convenience sampling. About 75 participants diagnosed with gastrocnemius tightness and plantar pain in the heel, for more than three months, were included in the study. Patients with a history of foot fractures, unusual or atypical symptoms that did not align with plantar fasciitis, or those who lacked the mental capability to participate in the study were excluded. Patients were then assessed by employing a visual analogue scale to measure the intensity of pain. Permission to conduct this current research was obtained from the Ethical Committee of Lahore College of Physical Therapy, Lahore, Pakistan. Written and explained consent was taken from every recruited participant in Urdu and English. Results: The minimum age of the involved participants was 24 years, and the maximum age was 78 years. The results show that the maximum patients recruited in this study (72%) reported suffering from moderate pain in the heel with gastrocnemius tightening. Conclusion: The majority of the patients with plantar fasciitis accompanied by gastrocnemius tightening experience moderate pain, when it was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale. This conclusion tends to highlight a substantial relationship between the intensity of pain in the heel in plantar fasciitis and gastrocnemius tightening.
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