Anatomical Correlation of Plantar Fascia Morphology with Symptom Severity in Plantar Fasciitis: An Ultrasound-Based Study

Introduction: Heel pain brought on by recurrent tension on the plantar fascia is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the severity of plantar fasciitis symptoms and morphological changes in the plantar fascia, such as thickness and the existence of calcaneal spurs. Methodology: 180 people (60 controls and 120 patients with plantar fasciitis) participated in a cross-sectional study. Ultrasound imaging detected calcaneal spurs and evaluated the thickness of the plantar fascia. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure the degree of pain in the group with plantar fasciitis. Result: There were more calcaneal spurs (52% vs. 15%, p < 0.001) and noticeably thicker plantar fascia (5.2 mm vs. 3.6 mm in controls, p < 0.001) in the group with plantar fasciitis. Higher VAS pain levels were associated with thicker fascia. Conclusion: The degree of plantar fasciitis is closely correlated with morphological alterations in the plantar fascia, such as thickening, underscoring the diagnostic utility of ultrasound imaging.