Short answer
When designing for individuals with plantar fasciitis, prioritize interventions and products that actively enhance ankle joint position sense and postural stability, while also considering psychological factors like pain perception.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2025)
- Method
- Cross-sectional study with advanced biomechanical and psychosocial correlates.
- Sample
- 126 participants (63 with plantar fasciitis, 63 controls)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Individuals with plantar fasciitis exhibit reduced accuracy in sensing ankle joint position and diminished postural stability, with pain catastrophizing significantly predicting these deficits. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. Using Cross-sectional study with advanced biomechanical and psychosocial correlates. with 126 participants (63 with plantar fasciitis, 63 controls), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for individuals with plantar fasciitis, prioritize interventions and products that actively enhance ankle joint position sense and postural stability, while also considering psychological factors like pain perception.
Plantar Fasciitis Impairs Ankle Proprioception and Postural Control, Exacerbated by Pain Catastrophizing
Individuals with plantar fasciitis exhibit reduced accuracy in sensing ankle joint position and diminished postural stability, with pain catastrophizing significantly predicting these deficits.
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Plantar fasciitis patients showed significantly higher AJPS error in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion compared to controls.
- 02Pain catastrophizing was a significant predictor of AJPS accuracy in plantarflexion.
- 03Postural stability was negatively correlated with AJPS accuracy, particularly in the mediolateral direction.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for individuals with plantar fasciitis, prioritize interventions and products that actively enhance ankle joint position sense and postural stability, while also considering psychological factors like pain perception.
How to apply
When designing rehabilitation equipment or footwear for individuals with foot and ankle conditions, integrate elements that provide clear sensory feedback and actively challenge or support postural control.
Project actions
- 01Consider how sensory feedback (like touch or pressure) can be used to improve user awareness of body position.
- 02Explore how different materials or shapes can influence stability and balance in a product design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Inclusion of a wide range of biomechanical and psychosocial factors.
- +Use of validated measurement tools and questionnaires.
Limitations
A cross-sectional study can show a link, but it can't prove that plantar fasciitis *causes* the balance problems; it's just that they happen at the same time. Other factors might be involved.
Reliability & validity
The study uses validated questionnaires and established biomechanical measurement techniques, contributing to the reliability and validity of its findings. The cross-sectional design, however, limits the establishment of causal validity.
Think critically
How might the design of everyday objects, such as stairs or flooring, be improved to better support individuals with impaired proprioception and postural control?
Design Principles
"Proprioceptive feedback and postural stability are fundamental to safe and efficient movement; impairments in these areas require targeted compensatory or rehabilitative design solutions."
This research highlights a critical link between a common musculoskeletal condition and fundamental human factors like proprioception and balance. Understanding these impairments is essential for designing effective rehabilitation programs and assistive devices that address not only the physical symptoms but also the psychological impact on user performance and well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
If someone has plantar fasciitis (pain in the bottom of their foot), they're not as good at knowing where their ankle is or keeping their balance. How much they worry about their pain makes this even worse.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for specific ergonomic features in your design that aim to improve balance or sensory feedback for users with similar conditions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that conditions like plantar fasciitis can significantly impair ankle joint position sense and postural control, with psychological factors such as pain catastrophizing playing a predictive role. This suggests that design interventions aimed at improving functional performance for affected individuals should not only address biomechanical deficits but also consider the user's perceptual and emotional state to ensure comprehensive support and rehabilitation.
Source
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
An examination of ankle joint position sense, postural control and associated neuromuscular deficits in patients with plantar fasciitis: a cross-sectional analysis with advanced biomechanical and psychosocial correlates
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about plantar fasciitis impairs ankle proprioception and postural control, exacerbated by pain catastrophizing?
- When designing for individuals with plantar fasciitis, prioritize interventions and products that actively enhance ankle joint position sense and postural stability, while also considering psychological factors like pain perception. Evidence: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2025).
- Why does "Plantar Fasciitis Impairs Ankle Proprioception and Postural Control, Exacerbated by Pain Catastrophizing" matter for design?
- This research highlights a critical link between a common musculoskeletal condition and fundamental human factors like proprioception and balance. Understanding these impairments is essential for designing effective rehabilitation programs and assistive devices that address not only the physical symptoms but also the psychological impact on user performance and well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for individuals with plantar fasciitis, prioritize interventions and products that actively enhance ankle joint position sense and postural stability, while also considering psychological factors like pain perception.
- What were the main findings?
- Plantar fasciitis patients showed significantly higher AJPS error in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion compared to controls.. Pain catastrophizing was a significant predictor of AJPS accuracy in plantarflexion.. Postural stability was negatively correlated with AJPS accuracy, particularly in the mediolateral direction.
- What research method was used?
- Cross-sectional study with advanced biomechanical and psychosocial correlates. with 126 participants (63 with plantar fasciitis, 63 controls).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing rehabilitation equipment or footwear for individuals with foot and ankle conditions, integrate elements that provide clear sensory feedback and actively challenge or support postural control.
- What are the limitations?
- The cross-sectional nature of the study limits the ability to establish causality. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.