An observational study in Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic and Tibial Nerve, sponsored by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-16.
Sponsored by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey · Observational
This cross-sectional observational study aims to examine the relationship between tibial nerve cross-sectional area at the tarsal tunnel and plantar fascia thickness, pressure pain threshold, foot posture, and functional status in individuals with chronic plantar fasciitis. Ultrasound measurements and clinical assessments will be used to explore whether tibial nerve morphology is associated with structural, pain-related, and functional findings. The findings may improve understanding of chronic plantar fasciitis and inform future prospective research.
In patients with plantar fasciitis, pain and functional loss are mostly associated with plantar fascia pathology. However, in some patients, the severity of pain and functional impairment may not be fully explained by the thickness of the plantar fascia. This situation suggests that foot posture, pain sensitivity, and possible tibial nerve involvement may contribute to the clinical picture, especially in chronic plantar fasciitis.
The evaluation of the relationship between the cross-sectional area of the tibial nerve and clinical and functional findings in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of plantar fasciitis. With this study, it will be investigated whether the evaluation of not only the thickness of the plantar fascia but also the morphology of the tibial nerve at the tarsal tunnel level is clinically significant in plantar fasciitis. Due to the observational, cross-sectional nature of our study, it is not possible to establish a cause-and-effect relationship; however, determining the relationship between the cross-sectional area of the tibial nerve and the thickness of the plantar fascia and pain will provide data that could serve as a basis for examining the cause-and-effect relationship prospectively in the future. The results obtained may contribute to identifying focal points in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
273 studies on the registry are indexed under Fasciitis, Plantar; 71 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 102 is above the median of 64 across 29 observational studies indexed under Fasciitis, Plantar.
Browse Fasciitis, Plantar studies →Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey is the lead sponsor of 107 studies on the registry; 31 are open to participants now.
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Individuals applying to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Training and Research Hospital will be evaluated, and those who meet the inclusion criteria for the groups and sign the voluntary consent form will be included in the study.
Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Group:
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with plantar fasciitis
Other: Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment · Other: Plantar fascia ultrasonographic Assessment · Other: Tibial nerve ultrasonographic assessment
Healthy Volunteers
Other: Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment · Other: Plantar fascia ultrasonographic Assessment
Pressure pain threshold measurements will be performed using a pressure algometer to assess pain sensitivity.
Also known as: PPT
Ultrasonographic evaluation will be performed to measure plantar fascia thickness
Also known as: US
Ultrasonographic evaluation will be performed to assess tibial nerve cross sectional area in tarsal tunnel.
Also known as: US
Assessment of tibial nerve cross-sectional area with ultrasonographic evaluation
The tibial nerve image will be obtained from within the tarsal tunnel and will be visualised by holding it with a prop at minimum pressure next to the medial malleolus, under the flexor retinaculum, alongside the artery-venous bundle. Three measurements will be taken for the nerve cross-sectional area, and the mean will be calculated. An independent researcher will code and record all obtained images, and the images will be analysed using the ImageJ offline DICOM software 1.8 ® (National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, v.1.53a).
Time frame: baseline
Pressure Pain Threshold - calcaneus
Pressure pain threshold is defined as the minimal pressure level that causes pain. The measurement will be applied twice with a 1-minute interval, and the average of these applications will be recorded. A trial test will be conducted on the patient before the actual test. Pressure will be applied with a pressure algometer until pain is induced, and the test will be terminated when the patient feels pain. The measurement will be taken from the calcaneus bone (the attachment point of the plantar fascia) using a Wagner manual pressure algometer (1 cm² probe-10 kg/20 lb).
Time frame: Baseline
Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS
Pain severity will be evaluated using a scale rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Participants will be asked to rate the pain felt with the first step after waking up in the morning and the average pain level over the past week.
Time frame: baseline
Foot Posture Index
The participant's foot will be observationally scored based on six anatomical criteria in a standing natural posture, and the total score will be recorded.
Time frame: baseline
Short Form-12 (SF-12)
Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary
Time frame: Baseline
Foot Function Index
The Foot Function Index is a self-report-based scale developed to evaluate the effects of foot and ankle-related problems on pain, functional limitation, and daily life activities in individuals, with its validity and reliability demonstrated. FFI consists of three sub-dimensions: pain, disability (functional limitation), and activity limitation. The scale allows individuals to evaluate foot-related problems they have experienced recently in the context of daily life activities. Each sub-dimension and total score reflect the level of impairment in foot functions. Increasing FFI scores indicate that the severity of foot pain and the limitations in foot functions have increased, thereby negatively affecting foot-related quality of life. FFI is widely used in clinical and research settings to evaluate the functional effects of foot pathologies.
Time frame: baseline
Thickness of the plantar fascia in ultrasonographic imaging
In the study, the evaluation with ultrasound will be conducted while the participants are in a prone position on the examination table, with their feet hanging off the table and in a dorsiflexed position. A linear probe will be placed longitudinally over the medial tubercle of the calcaneus to ultrasonographically examine the plantar fascia thickness (PFT). PFT will be measured 1 cm distal to the calcaneus attachment point. A PFT of 4 mm or greater will be considered evidence of fasciitis. It has been shown that this measurement technique has good intra-rater reliability. The Sonosite M-Turbo device will be used for ultrasonography and will be performed by a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist with 10 years of experience.
Time frame: Baseline
Plan to share: Undecided
Started Sep 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 2 months after the start.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey →