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Leg length discrepancy is not a risk factor for plantar fasciitis

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a main source of heel pain, and only about one-third of patients have bilateral symptomatic involvement, although age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activities are known risk factors. The high prevalence of unilateral involvement is poorly understood. We aimed to assess the potential association between PF and the leg length discrepancy (LLD) in unilateral PF.

Methods

A transversal case–control study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020, including 120 participants allocated to two groups matched by BMI and sex: cases (with a diagnosis of PF; 50 ± 13 years) and control (without foot pain; 40 ± 15 years). For both groups, a difference greater than 0.64 cm in the scanometry determined the criteria for the presence of LLD.

Results

The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent association of PF only with age (p < 0.001), and no association with LLD. We did not observe differences in the mean discrepancy (1.37 ± 0.83 cm in the PF group in comparison with 1.13 ± 0.37 cm in the control group, [p > 0.05]) or in the prevalence of LLD between groups (48% [n = 29] in the PF group compared with 42% [n = 25] in the control group, [p > 0.05]). In the PF group, 80% of the participants reported unilateral pain. We observed a higher prevalence of pain in the shorter limb (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Age was the only factor associated with the diagnosis of PF when groups were matched by sex and BMI. LLD was not an independent factor associated with the diagnosis of PF. However, when PF is unilateral, the shorter limb is more affected with 70% of prevalence.

Level of evidence

Level III, case–control.

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Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic and Traumatology Department, Return to Play Institute, Brasília, DF, Brazil

    Henrique Mansur & Bruno Abdo Santana de Araújo

  2. Foot and Ankle Surgery Group, Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, Prevent Senior, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Gabriel Ferraz Ferreira

  3. Sudoeste de Minas Gerais Federal Institute, Campos Rio Pomba, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    João B. Ferreira-Junior

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, Federal District, Brazil

    Daniel Augusto Maranho

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  1. Henrique Mansur
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Correspondence to Henrique Mansur.

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This work was performed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Santa Helena, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

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Mansur, H., Ferreira, G.F., Ferreira-Junior, J.B. et al. Leg length discrepancy is not a risk factor for plantar fasciitis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 144, 1485–1490 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-024-05197-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-024-05197-6

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