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Evaluation of plantar fasciopathy shear wave elastography: a comparison between patients and healthy subjects

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare elasticity features between patients with plantar fasciitis (PFis) and an asymptomatic healthy control group using shear wave elastography (SWE) and to correlate SWE values with clinical scores.

Methods

Consecutive patients diagnosed with PFis and asymptomatic subjects were enrolled in the present study. Both groups underwent clinical, ultrasound (US), and SWE evaluation. A plantar fascia thickness > 4 mm was considered pathognomonic of PFis. SWE stiffness elasticity (Young’s modulus in kPa and shear wave velocity in m/s) was measured 1 cm distally from the calcaneal insertion. Correlations with VAS and the 17-Italian Foot Function Index (17-FFI) were determined.

Results

A total of 19 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the patient group and were enrolled in the study, and 21 healthy subjects were used as a control group. Statistically significant differences were found for shear wave velocity between the patient and the control group, with SWE findings of 3.8 (5.1; 1.5) m/s and 4.7 (4.07; 7.04) m/s, respectively (p = 0.006). Strong positive correlations were found between the SWE findings and both the pain and the functional scale (VAS: p = 0.001; FFI: p = 0.012).

Conclusion

SWE allows quantitative assessment of the stiffness of the plantar fascia and can show PFis alterations, increasing the diagnostic performance of B-mode US. In addition, SWE shows a strong correlation with clinical scores, improving patient assessment and follow-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deparment of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomy-Pathological Scinces “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Schillizzi, Daniela Elia, Patrizia Pacini & Giorgia Polti

  2. Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Federica Alviti, Chiara D’Ercole, Francesco Agostini, Massimiliano Mangone, Marco Paoloni, Andrea Bernetti & Vito Cantisani

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy

    Marco Paoloni

  4. Department of Radiology, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

    Paolo Minafra

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Schillizzi
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  2. Federica Alviti
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  3. Chiara D’Ercole
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  4. Daniela Elia
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  8. Andrea Bernetti
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  9. Patrizia Pacini
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  10. Giorgia Polti
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  11. Paolo Minafra
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  12. Vito Cantisani
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Correspondence to Federica Alviti.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Schillizzi, G., Alviti, F., D’Ercole, C. et al. Evaluation of plantar fasciopathy shear wave elastography: a comparison between patients and healthy subjects. J Ultrasound 24, 417–422 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-020-00474-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-020-00474-7

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