Anatomical and biomechanical factors associated with plantar fasciitis in Thai male conscripts

Abstract

Etiology of plantar fasciitis among novice conscripts is multifactorial. The combination of all potential factors should be included for multivariate analysis to determine the significant predictors. The present study aimed to identify the intrinsic predictors of plantar fasciitis among novice conscripts. Two hundred and seventy healthy male conscripts who were without lower back or lower extremity pain prior to the commencement of military training were participated in this study. Intrinsic predictors which included individual, anatomical, and biomechanical variables were assessed at baseline. After 10 weeks of training, 113 participants were assessed again and classified as having (n = 71) or not having (n = 42) plantar fasciitis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. The primary criterion variable was the presence or absence of plantar fasciitis. Current results indicated that the conscripts with poorer quality of movement were two times more likely to exhibit plantar fasciitis (OR = 1.996). The conscripts with more femoral anteversion angle decreased the risk of presenting with plantar fasciitis (OR = 0.720). Regarding individual component, the conscripts with higher body mass index and more stress level increased more risk of plantar fasciitis (OR = 1.238 and 1.110, respectively). In addition, the conscripts with higher physical exercises level before military program reduced the risk of presenting with plantar fasciitis (OR = 0.242). In conclusion, multiple factors – especially individual characteristics and the abnormalities from proximal region (other than foot and ankle) – contributed to the prediction of the development of plantar fasciitis among Thai conscripts.