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Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare
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Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 11261

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Alfonso Martínez-Nova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nursing Department, University Center of Plasencia, University of Extremadura, 10600 Plasencia, Spain
Interests: foot and ankle pathology; sports injuries; rheumatic diseases; foot surgery; thermography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to welcome contributions to a Special Issue entitled "Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare" in the journal Healthcare. Podiatry, as a discipline, is essential in understanding and improving foot health, which can impact individuals’ overall well-being and quality of life. In recent years, promising developments in diagnostics, treatment modalities, and preventive care have been observed, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and the dissemination of knowledge in this area.

This Special Issue aims to highlight significant research in podiatry, aligning with the journal's aim of promoting quality care practices and health outcomes. We encourage submissions that explore innovative approaches in podiatric medicine, addressing simple or complex foot disorders, their systemic implications and new lines of treatments.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, foot posture, diabetic foot care, pediatric podiatry, sports-related foot injuries, and advancements in surgical techniques. We aim to gather a wide range of perspectives and in-depth analyses that will serve as a valuable resource for both practitioners and researchers.

I look forward to receiving your contributions and advancing the field of podiatric medicine and research together.

Prof. Dr. Alfonso Martínez-Nova
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • foot health
  • foot diseases
  • sports podiatry research
  • foot surgery
  • innovative approaches

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2478 KB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of Ultrasound Measurement of the Plantar Fascia Between Expert and Novice Technicians
by Alba Larriba-Pérez, Mª Carmen Ledesma-Alcázar, María Teresa García-Martínez, Carmen García-Gomariz, José-María Blasco and Paula Cobos-Moreno
Healthcare 2025, 13(19), 2484; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192484 - 30 Sep 2025
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot pathologies, and its diagnosis and clinical follow-up increasingly rely on the use of ultrasound. The aim of this study is to compare the reliability of ultrasound measurements of plantar fascia [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot pathologies, and its diagnosis and clinical follow-up increasingly rely on the use of ultrasound. The aim of this study is to compare the reliability of ultrasound measurements of plantar fascia thickness between an expert technician, with more than 5 years of ultrasound experience, and a novice technician, with no prior ultrasound experience—both of whom are podiatrists. This allows us to assess whether operator experience significantly influences the results. Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 60 healthy patients aged between 20 and 32 years. The thickness of the plantar fascia in both feet was measured using ultrasound. Each patient was evaluated by two observers (one expert and one novice) using a Vinno E35 ultrasound machine. Results: The results of the analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the measurements obtained either between the two technicians or between the left and right feet of the same individual, as the calculated p-value in both cases was greater than the conventional threshold of 0.05. This suggests that the measurements were consistent regardless of the operator or the side being evaluated. Nevertheless, when examining the differences in the time required to measure the plantar fascia between the two technicians, the situation was different. In this case, the data distribution did not meet the assumption of normality, as evidenced (p-value of less than 0.001). Furthermore, it was observed that the experienced technician not only completed the measurements in a shorter amount of time but also demonstrated less variability in those times, indicating a more efficient and standardized approach to the procedure. In contrast, the novice technician initially took longer and exhibited greater inconsistency; however, as the study progressed, a noticeable and progressive learning effect became apparent. Specifically, from approximately the midpoint of the study onward, the novice technician showed a significant improvement, achieving faster and more consistent measurement times compared to the earlier stages of the research. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that ultrasound measurements of the plantar fascia are consistent between technicians. However, the expert technician performs the measurements with greater speed and precision, and a learning effect is evident in the novice technician. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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15 pages, 758 KB  
Article
Impact of Manual Therapy on Plantar Pressures in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Single-Arm, Non-Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
by Francisco J. Falaguera-Vera, Javier Torralba-Estellés, Juan Vicente-Mampel, Javier Ferrer-Torregrosa, Elisa Oltra and María Garcia-Escudero
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070764 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 882
Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, often leading to physical deconditioning that affects posture and gait. This study evaluates the effects of a manual therapy protocol targeting dorsal muscles in the lower back on plantar pressure modifications, considering [...] Read more.
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, often leading to physical deconditioning that affects posture and gait. This study evaluates the effects of a manual therapy protocol targeting dorsal muscles in the lower back on plantar pressure modifications, considering body mass index (BMI) influence. Methods: A single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial included 24 women diagnosed with FM for at least three years. They underwent an eight-session manual therapy protocol over four weeks, applying moderate pressure to dorsal muscles in the lower back. Baropodometric analyses were conducted pre- and post-intervention under dynamic conditions. Statistical analyses used paired t-tests and effect size calculations to assess intervention effects and BMI impact. Results: Significant improvements in plantar pressure distribution were observed in both the left foot (p = 0.01, d = −0.54) and the right foot (p = 0.008, d = −0.59). However, strength and peak pressure metrics showed no significant changes. Patients with normal BMI exhibited greater improvements than those in the overweight category. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that manual therapy positively influenced plantar pressure distribution in FM patients, particularly in those with normal BMI. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and broader clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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8 pages, 1700 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of Local Glucocorticoid Infiltration Versus Traditional Gauze Bandaging for the Treatment of Onychocryptosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by María Teresa García-Martínez, Alfonso Martínez-Nova, Angélica María Fernández-Gómez, José-María Blasco, Francisco Vilchez-Márquez and Carmen García-Gomariz
Healthcare 2024, 12(21), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12212139 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1143
Abstract
Background/objectives: Local intralesional corticosteroid injections into the periungual fold are used to treat patients with onychocryptosis, but their short- or medium-term effects are unknown. The goal was to compare the efficacy of this treatment in stages IIa, IIb, and III of the condition [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: Local intralesional corticosteroid injections into the periungual fold are used to treat patients with onychocryptosis, but their short- or medium-term effects are unknown. The goal was to compare the efficacy of this treatment in stages IIa, IIb, and III of the condition with a common conservative method such as gauze bandaging. Methods: A two-arm randomized trial with 40 patients with stage IIa, IIb, and III onychocryptosis equally assigned into two treatment groups—control (spiculotomy and application of gauze bandaging) and experimental group (spiculotomy and infiltration of corticosteroid)—was performed. Anthropometric data, initial clinical status, pain, and inflammatory measures were collected before and at least one month after the intervention. Results: Pain reduction was higher in the experimental group (5.5 vs. 4.8 points) but with no significant differences (p = 0.306).Corticosteroids significantly reduced inflammation over gauze bandaging (1.9 vs. 1) with significant differences between them (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Corticosteroid infiltration was more effective than gauze bandaging application in reducing inflammation in patients with onychocryptosis, with similar effects on pain. These findings support the clinical importance of corticosteroid treatment for this condition, although a single infiltration may not be sufficient to prevent relapses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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7 pages, 3688 KB  
Article
Ultrasound-Guided Approach to the Distal Tarsal Tunnel: Implications for Healthcare Research on the Medial Plantar Nerve, Lateral Plantar Nerve and Inferior Calcaneal Nerve (Baxter’s Nerve)
by Alejandro Fernández-Gibello, Gabriel Camuñas Nieves, Ruth Liceth Jara Pacheco, Mario Fajardo Pérez and Felice Galluccio
Healthcare 2024, 12(20), 2071; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12202071 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 4511
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The tibial nerve, commonly misnamed the “posterior tibial nerve”, branches into four key nerves: the medial plantar, lateral plantar, inferior calcaneal (Baxter’s nerve), and medial calcaneal branches. These nerves are integral to both the sensory and motor functions of the foot. Approximately [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The tibial nerve, commonly misnamed the “posterior tibial nerve”, branches into four key nerves: the medial plantar, lateral plantar, inferior calcaneal (Baxter’s nerve), and medial calcaneal branches. These nerves are integral to both the sensory and motor functions of the foot. Approximately 15% of adults with foot issues experience heel pain, frequently stemming from neural origins, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). TTS diagnosis remains challenging due to a high false negative rate in neurophysiological studies. This study aims to improve the understanding and diagnosis of distal tarsal tunnel pathology to enable more effective treatments, including platelet-rich plasma, hydrodissections, radiofrequencies, and prolotherapy. Methods: Ultrasound-guided techniques were employed to examine the distal tarsal tunnel using the Heimkes triangle for optimal probe placement. Results: The results indicate that the tunnel consists of two chambers separated by the interfascicular septum, housing the medial, lateral plantar, and inferior calcaneal nerves. Successful interventions depend on precise visualization and patient positioning. This study emphasizes the importance of avoiding the calcaneus periosteum to reduce discomfort. Conclusions: Standardizing nerve involvement classification in TTS is difficult without robust neurophysiological studies. The accurate targeting of nerve branches is essential for effective treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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12 pages, 1362 KB  
Article
Determining the Best Noninvasive Test for Peripheral Arterial Disease Diagnosis to Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing in Patients Following Endovascular Revascularization
by Francisco Javier Álvaro-Afonso, Yolanda García-Álvarez, Esther Alicia García-Morales, Sebastián Flores-Escobar, Luis De Benito-Fernández, Jesús Alfayate-García, Juan Pedro Sánchez-Ríos, Enrique Puras-Mallagray, Esteban Javier Malo-Benages, Marta Ramírez-Ortega, Sandra Redondo-López, Almudena Cecilia-Matilla and José Luis Lázaro-Martínez
Healthcare 2024, 12(16), 1664; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12161664 - 20 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2204
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To analyze the best noninvasive tests prognosis marker in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) who underwent endovascular revascularization based on clinical outcomes, such as healing rate, time to heal, and free amputation survival after at least a six-month follow-up. Methods: A [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To analyze the best noninvasive tests prognosis marker in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) who underwent endovascular revascularization based on clinical outcomes, such as healing rate, time to heal, and free amputation survival after at least a six-month follow-up. Methods: A multicentric prospective observational study was performed with 28 participants with ischemic or neuroischemic DFU who came to the participant centers and underwent endovascular revascularization between January 2022 and March 2023. Toe systolic pressure (TP), ankle systolic pressure (AP), the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI), the toe brachial pressure index (TBPI), transcutaneous pressure of oxygen (TcPO2), and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) were evaluated using PeriFlux 6000 System, Perimed, Sweden, before (Visit 0) and four weeks after revascularization (Visit 1). The primary clinical outcome was an evaluation of the clinical evolution of noninvasive tests comparing Visit 0 and Visit 1, estimating the sensitivity for predicting wound healing of noninvasive tests at six months following initial recruitment. Results: After six months, 71.43% (n = 20) of DFU healed, four patients (14.3%) received major amputations, and one (3.5%) died. The two tests that best predicted wound healing after revascularization according to the ROC curve were TcPO2 and TP with sensitivities of 0.89 and 0.70 for the cut-off points of 24 mmHg and 46 mmHg, respectively. Conclusions: TcPO2 and TP were the two tests that best predicted wound healing in patients who underwent endovascular revascularization. Clinicians should consider the importance of the evaluation of microcirculation in the healing prognosis of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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Review

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18 pages, 796 KB  
Review
In Vivo Assessment of Ankle Stability During Dynamic Exercises: Scoping Review
by Sandra Sanchez-Morilla, Pablo Cervera-Garvi, Laura Ramirez-Perez, Irene Garcia-Paya, Salvador Diaz-Miguel and Ana Belen Ortega-Avila
Healthcare 2025, 13(13), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13131560 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 671
Abstract
Background: The ankle joint plays a key role in stabilizing the lower limb during interaction with ground reaction forces. Instability can result in pain, weakness, and impaired movement. Although assessing ankle stability is important, few studies examine existing in vivo methodologies for dynamic [...] Read more.
Background: The ankle joint plays a key role in stabilizing the lower limb during interaction with ground reaction forces. Instability can result in pain, weakness, and impaired movement. Although assessing ankle stability is important, few studies examine existing in vivo methodologies for dynamic load assessment, limiting effective injury management. Objective: To identify in vivo techniques using objective measurement tools for assessing ankle stability during dynamic exercise. Methods: A scoping review was performed based on PRISMA-ScR criteria. Five databases—PubMed, PEDro, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and CDSR—were searched from inception to September 2024. Results: Out of 1678 records, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1142 subjects were included: 293 females (25.6%), 819 males (71.7%), and 30 unspecified (2.62%). Six categories of dynamic exercise were identified: analytical, functional, balance, stair climbing, running, and walking. The techniques used included 3D motion capture, force and pressure platforms, dynamometry, electromyography, accelerometers, pressure and speed sensors, instrumented treadmills, and inertial measurement units. Conclusions: The 3D motion capture systems (240 Hz) and the force platforms (1000 Hz) were most frequently used in functional tasks and walking. Combining these with multisegmented foot models appears optimal, though tool selection depends on study goals. This review enhances our understanding of ankle stability assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Podiatric Medicine and Healthcare)
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