ArticleHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2024
The Precision and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided versus Palpation-Guided Needle Placement on the Plantar Fascia and Flexor Digitorum Brevis Interface: An Anatomical Study.
Article in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Validation and reliability of mechanical stiffness assessment tools in multilayered polyurethane phantom models of healthy and diabetic plantar soft tissues.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Regional variations in plantar fascia elasticity and their association with pain in plantar fasciitis: a cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Analysis of Research Trends in Ultrasound-Guided Acupuncture and Dry-Needling: A Scoping Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEvidence suggests the plantar fascia and its interphase with the flexor digitorum brevis muscle can play a relevant role in plantar heel pain. Needling interventions could offer an appropriate treatment strategy to addressing this interface.
objectiveWe compared the accuracy and safety of ultrasound-guided versus palpation-guided procedures for the proper targeting of the interface between the plantar fascia and the flexor digitorum brevis with a solid needle.
methodsA crossover cadaveric study was conducted. Five experienced therapists performed a series of 20 needle insertions each (n = 100 in total, 10 landmark-guided and 10 ultrasound-guided) on 10 anatomical samples. The therapists were instructed to accurately place the needle on the interface between the plantar fascia and the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. The distance of the tip of the needle to the identified target (accuracy), the surrounding sensitive structures targeted (safety), the time needed for the procedure, the number of needle passes, and the needle length outside the skin were assessed.
resultsThe ultrasound-guided technique was associated with a significantly higher accuracy (
conclusionOur results suggest that ultrasound-guided insertion exhibits greater accuracy but not greater safety than palpation-guided insertion when targeting the interface between the plantar fascia and the flexor digitorum brevis.
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