title: Application of ultrasound in the assessment of plantar fascia in patients with plantar fasciitis: a systematic review.
abstract: Plantar fasciitis (PFS) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, estimated to affect 10% of the general population during their lifetime. Ultrasound (US) imaging technique is increasingly being used to assess plantar fascia (PF) thickness, monitor the effect of different interventions and guide therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review previously published studies concerning the application of US in the assessment of PF in patients with PFS. A literature search was performed for the period 2000-2012 using the Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Springer databases. The key words used were: ultrasound, sonography, imaging techniques, ultrasonography, interventional ultrasonography, plantar fascia and plantar fasciitis. The literature search yielded 34 relevant studies. Sixteen studies evaluated the effect of different interventions on PF thickness in patients with PFS using US; 12 studies compared PF thickness between patients with and without PFS using US; 6 studies investigated the application of US as a guide for therapeutic intervention in patients with PFS. There were variations among studies in terms of methodology used. The results indicated that US can be considered a reliable imaging technique for assessing PF thickness, monitoring the effect of different interventions and guiding therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center and Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Evin, Tehran, Iran; University Institute of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mohseni-Bandpei
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mnakhaee@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Masoomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakhaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ebrahim
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shakourirad
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Safari
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vahab Kashani
mesh_terms: D005205:Fascia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Plantar fascia; Plantar fasciitis; Review; Systematic; Ultrasound