Radiological classification and prevalence of plantar spur and their relationship with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Introduction: A presence or consequences of the plantar spur as a cause of plantar fasciitis are currently uncertain. But literature is deficient with conflicting findings regarding the relationship between the PS and PF. The study was undertaken to assess the incidence of types and sizes of the plantar spurs and to find the relationship between the plantar spur and plantar fasciitis. Material & Methods: We studied 30 patients with the complaints of plantar fasciitis having plantar spur were included. Length and size of the plantar spur were assessed radiologically using lateral view ankle X-rays. Pain and functional assessment were evaluated using VAS and AOFAS score before and after treatment. Results: Length of the plantar spur was classified as type 0/absent in 4 patients, 1/small in 4 patients, 2/medium in 12 patients and 3/large in 10 patients Plantar spur size was measure spurs as 10mm. The highest incidence spurs size was 5-10mm and >10mm accounts for 36.67% each (n=11). Statistically, significant improvement was found in the mean VAS and AOFAS score in all the patients after treatment especially patient with a medium sized spur (grade 2).Cohen’s Kappa statistic showed excellent intra and inter-observer agreement. Conclusions: These suggest that the presence or consequences of the plantar spur are not necessarily as a cause of plantar fasciitis. These results may enlighten the knowledge to understand the role of the plantar spur in a patient with plantar fasciitis.