The "Bodily Pain" scale of the short form-36 questionnaire is a predictor of outcome in patients who receive ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis - A preliminary study

Objectives: Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. We aimed to examine whether the eight scales of the Short Form-36 [SF-36] quality of life questionnaire could predict outcome of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis. Methods: Sixteen patients [mean age 55.7 years] with unilateral plantar fasciitis received ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections and all evaluations. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered and tenderness threshold [TT] was measured before injection, at 3 weeks, and at 3 months post-injection. Differences in the eight SF-36 scales among the three time points were examined. Furthermore, baseline measurements and changes in the SF-36 scales were examined for their association with changes in TT at 3 weeks and 3 months post-injection. Results: The scale "bodily pain" [BP] decreased significantly after injection [baseline versus 3 months post-injection: 46.25±11.73 versus 63.06±18.26; p=0.036]. Baseline BP correlated with change in TT at 3 weeks [r=-0.554, p=0.026]. The change in BP correlated with change in TT at 3 weeks [r=0.594, p=0.015] and at 3 months [r=0.536, p=0.032]. Conclusion: The BP scale can be used to predict the outcome of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis. Less initial bodily pain leads to less improvement in objective inferior heel tenderness.