Article

Due to complexity of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles, little is
known about their muscle architecture in vivo. Chronic plantar fasciitis may be
accompanied by muscle atrophy of plantar intrinsic foot muscles and tibialis
posterior compromising the dynamic support of the foot prolonging the injury.
Magnetic resonance images of the foot may be digitized to quantify muscle
architecture. The first purpose of this study was to estimate in vivo the volume
and distribution of healthy plantar intrinsic foot muscles. The second purpose
was to determine whether chronic plantar fasciitis is accompanied by atrophy of
plantar intrinsic foot muscles and tibialis posterior. METHODS: Magnetic
resonance images were taken bilaterally in eight subjects with unilateral plantar
fasciitis. Muscle perimeters were digitally outlined and muscle signal intensity
thresholds were determined for each image for volume computation. FINDINGS: The
mean volume of contractile tissue in healthy plantar intrinsic foot muscles was
113.3cm(3). Forefoot volumes of plantar fasciitis plantar intrinsic foot muscles
were 5.2% smaller than healthy feet (P=0.03, ES=0.26), but rearfoot (P=0.26,
ES=0.08) and total foot volumes (P=0.07) were similar. No differences were
observed in tibialis posterior size. INTERPRETATIONS: While the total volume of
plantar intrinsic foot muscles was similar in healthy and plantar fasciitis feet,
atrophy of the forefoot plantar intrinsic foot muscles may contribute to plantar
fasciitis by destabilizing the medial longitudinal arch. These results suggest
that magnetic resonance imaging measures may be useful in understanding the
etiology and rehabilitation of chronic plantar fasciitis.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS