Validity of MRI and Ultrasound Volume Measurements of Foot Muscles and Plantar Fascia Cross-Sectional Area Within Older Adults With and Without Chronic Plantar Fasciitis.
Derek A Swanson, Joshua K Sponbeck, Dallin C Swanson, Steven P Allen, Aaron Wayne Johnson
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Intrinsic foot muscles and the plantar fascia are crucial for foot health, which diminishes with age and conditions such as chronic plantar fasciitis (PF). Ultrasound (US) is an accessible and cost-effective method for evaluating these structures. This study aims to assess the repeatability, reliability, and validity of plantar fascia thickness and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle measurements using US compared with MRI in individuals with and without PF.
Methods: Foot muscle volume and plantar fascia thickness were measured via US and MRI in 28 participants with and without PF. Subsequently, the plantar fascia thickness and FDB volume were calculated using the OsiriX semiauto volume segmenter software for MRI and the truncated cone formula for both MRI and US. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Pearson product correlations (r), minimal detectable differences (MDD), and standard error of measurement (SEm) were calculated.
Results: High ICCs (r = 0.988-0.990) indicated excellent repeatability for all measurement techniques of the plantar fascia and FDB muscle. Reliability for plantar fascia and FDB measurements ranged from 3.98% to 5.50% and 5.06%-9.84%, respectively, across both groups. Validity was high with correlation values between 0.94 and 0.99 and Bland-Altman limits of agreement ranging from 2.6% to 9.2%.
Conclusions: US provides repeatable, reliable, and valid measurements of plantar fascia thickness and FDB muscle volume compared with MRI. It offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative for assessing foot health in clinical and research settings.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, the official journal of the Australian Podiatry Association and The College of Podiatry (UK), is an open access journal that encompasses all aspects of policy, organisation, delivery and clinical practice related to the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and management of foot and ankle disorders.
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research covers a wide range of clinical subject areas, including diabetology, paediatrics, sports medicine, gerontology and geriatrics, foot surgery, physical therapy, dermatology, wound management, radiology, biomechanics and bioengineering, orthotics and prosthetics, as well the broad areas of epidemiology, policy, organisation and delivery of services related to foot and ankle care.
The journal encourages submissions from all health professionals who manage lower limb conditions, including podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists and physiotherapists, orthopaedists, manual therapists, medical specialists and general medical practitioners, as well as health service researchers concerned with foot and ankle care.
The Australian Podiatry Association and the College of Podiatry (UK) have reserve funds to cover the article-processing charge for manuscripts submitted by its members. Society members can email the appropriate contact at Australian Podiatry Association or The College of Podiatry to obtain the corresponding code to enter on submission.