Gender-related effect of aging on the sonographic appearance of plantar fascia

Objectives: To investigate the association between demographic variables [especially age] and the sonographic appearance of the plantar fascia [PF]. Methods: Twenty-six healthy volunteers [52 feet, age 24-79 years] without inferior heel pain were recruited. The thickness of the PF of the participants was measured in sonographic examination. The mean grey level in the region of interest in the sonogram of each PF was calculated using image processing software. Pearson's correlation and stepwise regression analyses were performed between demographic variables and sonographic measures. Results: The mean thickness of the PF was 0.319 ± 0.059 cm for men and 0.309 ± 0.093 cm for women. Stepwise regression analysis showed that age is an independent predictor of the thickness of the PF, and age and gender are independent predictors of echogenicity of the PF. Pearson's correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between age and thickness of the PF [r = 0.538] and between gender [male/female = 0/1] and echogenicity of the PF [r = 0.437]. A negative correlation between age and echogenicity of the PF [r = -0.344] was also shown. We divided the subjects into two gender-based groups and found significant correlations between age and sonographic measures only in the female group. Conclusions: The thickness of the PF increases and the echogenicity of the PF decreases with age. Although the echogenicity of the PF is higher in women than in men, the PF of women shows a greater association with aging.