Abstract
This presentation describes the impact of plantar fibromatosis (PF) on foot and leg pain in a woman aged 53 and explores the importance of enabling good quality physical activity in menopause.
Alex is a physically fit woman with an 11-year history of PF affecting both feet. The nodules involving the plantar fascia medial band had been slowly increasing in size and becoming more prominent. She has a familial history of Dupytren’s contracture (maternal grandmother and uncle) but has no hand involvement herself.
Alex experienced pain and numbness in her feet when cycling for more than 20 minutes. Running was limited to a gentle 5km jog three days a week due to foot pain and Achilles tendon pain bilaterally. Alex reported “My ability to do exercise is becoming increasingly limited. It is frustrating because exercise has always been important to me, not just physically but for my mental wellbeing and stress relief”.
Following self-guided research and an unhelpful consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, Alex underwent treatment with local injection of corticosteroid under ankle block anaesthesia. A total of 15mL of Triamcinolone acetonide 10mg/mL was administered on three separate occasions, 4-5 weeks apart. All fibromas responded well to treatment, becoming less prominent and more malleable. Alex experienced a gradual reduction in pain from the treated sites, improved extensibility of the plantar fascia, and reduced Achilles tendon pain.
At 17 weeks following the final injection, Alex reports: “I have gradually built up my running and cycling - I can push myself again. I can now easily run 10km but more importantly, I am running intervals of 200km, doing bike hill intervals and endurance bike rides without pain”.
The significance of improving Alex’s capacity for physical activity and exercise is particularly important considering her age. Alex identifies as being at the stage of postmenopause.
Podiatry interventions which enable women to maintain good quality physical activity will assist in maintaining muscle strength and power, reduce the risk of risk of falls and falls-related injury, protect against the longer-term impacts of menopause including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and improve quality of life related to foot health.
Alex is a physically fit woman with an 11-year history of PF affecting both feet. The nodules involving the plantar fascia medial band had been slowly increasing in size and becoming more prominent. She has a familial history of Dupytren’s contracture (maternal grandmother and uncle) but has no hand involvement herself.
Alex experienced pain and numbness in her feet when cycling for more than 20 minutes. Running was limited to a gentle 5km jog three days a week due to foot pain and Achilles tendon pain bilaterally. Alex reported “My ability to do exercise is becoming increasingly limited. It is frustrating because exercise has always been important to me, not just physically but for my mental wellbeing and stress relief”.
Following self-guided research and an unhelpful consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, Alex underwent treatment with local injection of corticosteroid under ankle block anaesthesia. A total of 15mL of Triamcinolone acetonide 10mg/mL was administered on three separate occasions, 4-5 weeks apart. All fibromas responded well to treatment, becoming less prominent and more malleable. Alex experienced a gradual reduction in pain from the treated sites, improved extensibility of the plantar fascia, and reduced Achilles tendon pain.
At 17 weeks following the final injection, Alex reports: “I have gradually built up my running and cycling - I can push myself again. I can now easily run 10km but more importantly, I am running intervals of 200km, doing bike hill intervals and endurance bike rides without pain”.
The significance of improving Alex’s capacity for physical activity and exercise is particularly important considering her age. Alex identifies as being at the stage of postmenopause.
Podiatry interventions which enable women to maintain good quality physical activity will assist in maintaining muscle strength and power, reduce the risk of risk of falls and falls-related injury, protect against the longer-term impacts of menopause including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and improve quality of life related to foot health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jun 2023 |
| Event | Australian Podiatry Association Conference 2023 - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia Duration: 22 Jun 2023 → 24 Jun 2023 https://podiatry.eventsair.com/australian-podiatry-conference-2023/program https://podiatry.eventsair.com/australian-podiatry-conference-2023/ (Website) |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Podiatry Association Conference 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | United for Excellence: Community. Education. Purpose |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Brisbane |
| Period | 22/06/23 → 24/06/23 |
| Other | Join over 1,000 delegates for one of the largest podiatry conferences in the world. Network and learn from colleagues, national and international keynote speakers, local experts and peer contributors over 3 invigorating days. Delegates will have access to clinical upskilling and tutorage through a range of targeted hands-on workshops and masterclasses at our Conference venue, the Brisbane Convention Centre. The theme for the conference is United for Excellence Community. Education. Purpose. This encapsulates the continued growth in prominence of podiatry in the Allied Health space. The progressive and exciting program encompasses scientific, clinical and commercial streams to keep you at the forefront of the Podiatry profession. |
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