Evaluation of Spinal Posture, Balance, and Core Muscle Endurance in Individuals With Plantar Fasciitis

The study will include individuals aged 18-50 years who present to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Hospital with heel pain and are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. The control group will consist of healthy volunteers within the same age range who do not have heel pain and are recruited from among patients' relatives. Individuals with any orthopedic deformity or neurological disorder will be excluded from both groups.

Core muscle endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Tests, dynamic balance using the Y-Balance Test, and static balance using the Single-Leg Stance Test. Foot function will be evaluated using the Foot Function Index, spinal posture using a bubble inclinometer, and pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale.

• evaluation (Other): All participants will undergo a standardized evaluation. Core muscle endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Tests. Dynamic balance will be evaluated using the Y-Balance Test, while static balance will be assessed using the Single-Leg Stance Test. Spinal posture will be evaluated using a bubble inclinometer. Foot function will be assessed using the Foot Function Index, and heel pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale. No therapeutic intervention will be administered as part of the study.

Primary outcomes

• Spinal Posture Assessed Using a Bubble Inclinometer [During the single assessment session, approximately 10 minutes.]: Sagittal spinal posture will be evaluated using a bubble inclinometer. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles will be measured in degrees under standardized standing conditions. Higher angular values indicate a greater degree of the corresponding spinal curvature.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 50 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Being between 18-50 years of age,
2. Having heel pain for at least 3 months,
3. Having a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of neurological disease
2. Vestibular disorder
3. Rheumatological disease
4. History of lower extremity surgery
5. Vision problem that may affect balance.
6. Pregnancy

• Esra BAYRAMOĞLU DEMİRDÖĞEN, Principal investigator, Kırşehir Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi