The Correlation between Hamstring Tightness and Plantar Fasciitis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy and The Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

Abstract
Background: A significant number of individuals suffer from pain in the heel and many go on to have chronic symptoms and went to disability, and it may affect sedentary and active adults of all ages. Active knee extension test (AKE) is com-monly used to assess flexibility and length of the hamstring muscles that’s may be related to plantar fasciitis.
Aim of Study: To assess the relationship between hamstring tightness and plantar fasciitis.
Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients who were coming complaining of heel pain, their age ranged from 30-50 years. All participants were asked to assess plantar fascia thickness by ultrasonoghraphy and to assess hamstring length by range of active knee extension test; aiming to detect the correlation between hamstring tightness and plantar fasciitis. The mean age was 39.72±5.58 years (range: 31-48 years), 83.3% were female, 66.6% were affected bilaterally and the mean BMI was 28.94±2.94Kg/m2.
Results: There is a strong negative linear correlation between the thickness of plantar fasciitis and range of active knee extension test. This means that any increase in the thickness of plantar fasciitis, will be associated with decrease in active knee extension angle.
Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between plantar fasciitis and hamstring tightness.

Keywords