Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Ultrasonography Assessment of Ankle/Foot Pain: A Biopsychosocial Model

Zale, Kathryn E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405621649

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Allied Medical Professions.
Approximately 20 percent of the general population suffers from musculoskeletal pain, and foot pain is one of the most common reasons people make an appointment to see their physician. With the current medical model, the economic burden of musculoskeletal pain costs US insurance companies nearly $850 billion dollars annually. Furthermore, musculoskeletal pain leads to a loss of physical function and declines in mental health, which may adversely affect gainful employment. For these reasons a new biopsychosocial model is needed to help address this significant problem. Therefore, this work aims to provide a cost-effective, holistic approach to ankle/foot pain with the utilization of a hand-carried ultrasound unit (HCU). A pre-experimental research design was used to allow for a convenient sample of asymptomatic and symptomatic volunteers to undergo evaluation of the ankle/foot. This innovative mixed-method screening included a questionnaire, an intake history, as well as a bilateral sonographic evaluation of the ankle/feet. Evaluation of tendons in the posteromedial and posterolateral compartments can provide a potential diagnosis of tenosynovitis, tendinopathy, and varied levels of tendon tears. In addition to the typical structures evaluated with ankle/foot MSK sonography, myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), were palpated and scanned, since they are an overlooked, as a common cause of MSK pain. This approach allowed for the exploration of the usefulness of an HCU to contribute to the holistic diagnostic work-up for patients with ankle/foot pain. In keeping with a person-centered approach, the participant’s pain represented the dependent variable, via self-reported pain and visual analogue scale (VAS). The sonographic findings, both palpated and visualized MTrPs, and questionnaire responses represented the independent variables. The researcher/sonographer scanning the participants was blinded, and a protocol was used to systematically evaluate the tendons and ligaments in the anterior, posterior and lateral compartments. All sonograms were evaluated post examination. The results of this study found several significant independent variables to help identify patients with ankle/foot pain in this population. An increase in MTrPs and sonographic abnormalities were found to be statistically significant when correlated with painful limbs, while the predictive value of these independent variables to the VAS, while still significant, was lower. Questionnaire components, including the VISA-A and Physical SF-12 surveys also provided statistically significant correlations. The VISA-A, however, was the single best predictor for ankle/foot pain, when compared to the VAS, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the variation. This screening protocol offers salient independent variables (including the VISA-A, SF-12, palpable MTrPs, and a modified sonographic screening) to help holistically identify patients with ankle/foot pain. More rigorous studies, utilizing these variables in combination, are needed to provide support for its use as a good alternative to more expensive diagnostic screenings, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Kevin Evans, PhD (Advisor)
151 p.
Alternative Medicine; Health Care; Health Sciences; Medical Imaging; Radiology
musculoskeletal; sonography; trigger points; biopsychosocial model

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zale, K. E. (2014). Ultrasonography Assessment of Ankle/Foot Pain: A Biopsychosocial Model [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405621649

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zale, Kathryn. Ultrasonography Assessment of Ankle/Foot Pain: A Biopsychosocial Model. 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405621649.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zale, Kathryn. "Ultrasonography Assessment of Ankle/Foot Pain: A Biopsychosocial Model." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405621649

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1405621649
1,849
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.