Uncovering the Alterations in Extrinsic Foot Muscle Mechanical Properties and Foot Posture in Fibromyalgia: a Case-control Study

Overview

Journal Rheumatol Int

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2024 Nov 6

PMID 39503759

Authors

Ceren Ornek

Ilke Coskun Benlidayi

Aylin Sariyildiz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate foot posture and the mechanical properties of extrinsic foot muscles in fibromyalgia.

Methods: Patients with fibromyalgia (n = 86) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 41) were included in the study. Foot Posture Index (FPI), Beighton and Brighton criteria were used to evaluate static foot posture, joint hypermobility, and benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS), respectively. Tonus, elasticity, and stiffness of the extrinsic foot muscles including gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus were measured by the MyotonPRO device. Foot function, quality of life, and physical activity level were assessed by the Foot Function Index (FFI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively.

Results: The frequency of abnormal foot posture in the fibromyalgia and control groups was 68.6% versus 39%, respectively; and neutral foot posture was approximately twice as prevalent in the control group compared to the fibromyalgia group (p = 0.006). Pronated foot posture was the most common abnormality in fibromyalgia (61.6%) and observed in 85.5% of the patients with joint hypermobility and in 87.1% of those meeting BJHS criteria. The elasticity of peroneus longus at rest and the elasticity of tibialis anterior in the standing position were significantly different between the fibromyalgia group and the control group [1.08 (0.22) vs. 1.02 (0.25), p = 0.037 and 0.92 (0.29) vs. 0.87 (0.24), p = 0.011, respectively]. Regarding the fibromyalgia group, no difference was detected among foot posture groups in terms of myotonometric data.

Conclusions: Pronation foot posture is common in fibromyalgia with a much higher frequency in fibromyalgia patients with hypermobility. In daily clinical practice for fibromyalgia, particular attention should be given to foot alignment.

Citing Articles

Diagnostic utility of deep tendon reflex responses in rectus femoris and triceps brachii in fibromyalgia: a clinical and electrophysiological study.

Coskun Benlidayi I, Deniz V, Ornek C, Sariyildiz A Rheumatol Int. 2025; 45(3):57.

PMID: 39982496 PMC: 11845418. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-025-05808-4.

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