6533b7dafe1ef96bd126e9ba

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Häufigkeit, Altersabhängigkeit und Geschlechtsverteilung des Fersensporns

subject

description

In 1027 lateral radiograms of the ankle in a Caucasian population, 161 plantar and/or dorsal calcaneal spurs (15.7%) were diagnosed. Plantar spurs were more common than dorsal spurs (11.2 and 9.3% respectively). Prevalence of both spurs increases considerably with the rising age. Dorsal spurs appear slightly earlier than plantar spurs. The spur frequencies are similar in left and right feet. The plantar spurs were significantly (p < 0.0001) more common in women than in men in general, while dorsal spurs were more frequent in men than in women up to the age of 70. The previously reported higher frequencies of plantar and dorsal calcaneal spurs in women than in men are probably a result of a disproportionally higher number of women in higher age in the groups studied. In forensic medicine, calcaneal spurs provide evidence for identity and age of unknown corpses, and to certain extend their profession, physical activities and constitution during life.