Evaluation of Balance and Fall Risk in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate plantar fasciitis syndrome on balance and the risks of the falls. METHODS: Fifty patients with clinical diagnosed plantar fasciitis participated in this study. Patients were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Balance and fall risk were measured with the biodex balance system. Postural stability and fall risk were measured with total score (TS), antero-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) as statically and dynamically at 2. and 8. degrees. Nineteen healthy volunteers with no active complaints and no previous plantar fasciitis/calcaneal spur were included in this study as a control group. RESULTS: The mean VAS value in the patient group was 6.65±1.84. There was no statistical difference between the mean age and body mass index of patients and control groups. A statistically significant difference was found between the group in TS2 (p=0.005), TS8 (p=0.009), AP2 (p=0.006), AP8 (p=0.018), DR2 (p=0.01) and DR8 (p=0.002) in favor of the control group. There was no statistical difference between the groups in the static and dynamic mediolateral balance evaluations. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated that postural balance, especially in the antero-posterior plane, was impaired in patients with plantar fasciitis syndrome and increased risk of falls.