Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

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This article is part of the supplement: 1st Congress of the International Foot & Ankle Biomechanics (i-FAB) community

Open Access Oral presentation

Energetics of the intrinsic foot muscles in plantar fasciitis

R Chang1*, R Larsen2, J Kent-Braun2 and J Hamill1

Author Affiliations

1 Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Massachusetts, USA

2 Muscle Physiology Laboratory, University of Massachusetts, USA

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Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2008, 1(Suppl 1):O1 doi:10.1186/1757-1146-1-S1-O1

Published: 26 September 2008

First paragraph (this article has no abstract)

Intrinsic foot muscles and the plantar fascia provide mechanical support for the medial longitudinal arch in gait [1]. In an injury to the plantar fascia (i.e. plantar fasciitis), there may be an increase in load on the intrinsic foot muscles resulting in increased metabolic demand. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) has shown that the ratio of inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine ([Pi]/[PCr]) within a muscle increases proportionately with muscle work at low to moderate levels [2]. The purpose of this study was to determine whether walking elicits a relatively higher increase in activity of the intrinsic foot muscles of feet with plantar fasciitis relative to healthy feet.