Relationship between Ankle Muscle Strength and Pain and Calcaneal Spur Length in Individuals with Exercise Habit: A Pilot Study

Background: A Calcaneal Spur (CS) is an osteophytic outgrowth just anterior to the tuberosity of the calcaneus. CSs are common causes of heel pain, which can affect the ankle muscle strength. In spite of the many treatment alternatives available for CSs, the associations between the CS length and pain and muscle strength have not yet been sufficiently researched. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the CS length and the pain and muscle strength of the ankle in individuals who exercise habit. Materials and Methods: The sociodemographic characteristics, duration of symptoms, activity and resting pain, and dorsal and plantar flexor muscle strength of the ankle were evaluated. Computer-aided linear measurements were conducted to determine the spur length (mm) from the tip to the base. The pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while the muscle strength was determined using a hand-held dynamometer. Results: Twenty individuals (13 females and 7 males) diagnosed with CSs were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 45.25±10.16 years old (range 30–65), while the mean CS length was 3.45±3.12 mm (range 0.5–12.2). The CS length was significantly correlated with the age (p=0.012), activity pain (p=0.015), resting pain (p=0.021), dorsal flexor muscle strength (p=0.034), plantar flexor muscle strength (p=0.041), and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001). Discussion: Our results indicate that the CS length is significantly correlated with the age, BMI, dorsal and plantar flexor muscle strengths, and activity and resting pain. Conclusion: In light of the study results, the CS length is an important parameter that is correlated with ankle pain and muscle strength.