Correlation Analysis of Gastrocnemius Tightness and Heel Pain Severity: A Study on Plantar Fasciitis

Year : 2025 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 57 64
    By

    Amit Dwivedi,

  • Abhishek Malik,

  • Aditya Singh,

  • G. Rakesh Kumar,

  1. Professor and Head of Department, Department of Orthopaedics, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Santosh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Post Graduate M.S. Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Santosh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, India
  3. Post Graduate M.S. Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Santosh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, India
  4. Post Graduate M.S. Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Santosh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis, a common source of heel pain, is frequently linked to tightness in the gastrocnemius (GCN) muscle. This study seeks to examine the relationship between GCN tightness and the severity of heel pain in plantar fasciitis patients over time, investigating the potential role of muscle flexibility in alleviating pain. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 74 patients aged 25–65 diagnosed with P. fasciitis at Santosh Hospital, Ghaziabad, India. Patients received oral analgesics and participated in Alfredson’s Eccentric Stretching Regime. GCN tightness was measured using a goniometer, and heel pain severity was gauged through the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests analysed changes in GCN tightness and VAS scores at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks. Correlation analyses examined the relationship between heel pain severity and GCN tightness. Results: The sample had 35.1% male and 64.9% female participants, with most patients aged between 26 and 46 years. GCN tightness decreased progressively from a baseline mean of 28.97° to 12.20° by 12 weeks. Noteworthy reductions in heel pain severity were observed, with mean VAS scores decreasing from 71.55 at baseline to 3.69 at 12 weeks (p < .001). Although a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.52) between heel pain severity and GCN tightness was noted, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.660). Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant improvements in both GCN tightness and heel pain severity over a 12-week period, supporting the use of eccentric stretching exercises in managing P. fasciitis. Although, a trend linking muscle tightness and heel pain exists, it was not a significant predictor in this sample, suggesting the influence of additional factors in pain management for P. fasciitis.

Keywords: Eccentric stretching, gastrocnemius tightness, heel pain, muscle flexibility, plantar fasciitis, visual analog scale

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Amit Dwivedi, Abhishek Malik, Aditya Singh, G. Rakesh Kumar. Correlation Analysis of Gastrocnemius Tightness and Heel Pain Severity: A Study on Plantar Fasciitis. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2025; 14(01):57-64.
How to cite this URL:
Amit Dwivedi, Abhishek Malik, Aditya Singh, G. Rakesh Kumar. Correlation Analysis of Gastrocnemius Tightness and Heel Pain Severity: A Study on Plantar Fasciitis. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2025; 14(01):57-64. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjomst/article=2025/view=197085


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received 31/12/2024
Accepted 20/01/2025
Published 05/02/2025
Publication Time 36 Days
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