A Randomized Control Trial Studying the Effects of Terrain Variation on Intrinsic Foot Musculature in Healthy Individuals and Individuals With Plantar Fasciitis:
Modern footwear has been implicated as a contributor to foot pathology and changes in the biomechanics of gait. In addition to footwear, the investigators propose that the lack of terrain variation may directly contribute to the development of common foot pathologies, resulting from decreased intrinsic foot muscle function. This study will examine the current understanding of terrain variation on foot musculature strength and its possible correlation with structural and functional changes within the foot.
• Patients presenting to the University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute with pain on the plantar medial or central heel for greater than 60 days with the following features
• Pain upon palpation, or insidious pain onset
• Pain accentuated after long periods of weight bearing activities or after periods of rest
• A reduction in pain following light activities (McPoil et al., 2008)
• Failure to respond to treatment modalities for 6 months, including plantar fascia and muscle stretching, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, supportive insoles, and night splints
• Age \>18 years
• Healthy individuals in the general population of Gainesville and surrounding areas
• Age \>18