The Relationship Between Forefoot, Midfoot And Rearfoot Static Alignment In Painfree And Painful Heel In Athletes

Authors

Gupta Shuchi, Guru Nanak Dev University
Maman Paul, Guru Nanak Dev University
Sandhu Jaspal, Guru Nanak Dev University

Abstract

There have been conflicting reports with regard to the degree to which the structure of foot may influence its function. The influence of forefoot structure on weight-bearing midfoot and rearfoot positions has not been extensively investigated. Podiatric physicians have long employed biomechanical principles in the treatment of patients with plantar heel pain. However, there is no consensus in the podiatric literature in terms of a uniform treatment approach. The aim of the present study was to determine whether and to what degree a relationship exists between the forefoot angle and weight-bearing midfoot and rearfoot positions. 102 male and female athletes - 51 without plantar heel pain (AWoPHP) and 51 with plantar heel pain (AWiPHP) - in the age group of 13-26 years were randomly selected. Subjects with a history of heel pain due to plantar fasciitis for at least 6 months were included in the study. A statistically significant relationship was found between the forefoot angle and the relaxed rearfoot angle(r = 0.66, p<0.01 in AWoPHP, r = 0.69, p<0.01 in AWiPHP), between the forefoot angle and the navicular drop (r = 0.68, p<0.01 in AWoPHP, r = 0.73, p<0.01 in AWiPHP) as well as between the navicular drop and the relaxed rearfoot angle (r = 0.85, p<0.01 in AWoPHP, r = 0.88, p<0.01 in AWiPHP).

Keywords

biomechanics, foot position, plantar heel pain, pronation, subtalar joint

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