OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of physical therapy interventions using strengthening and stretching exercise programs on pain and temporospatial gait parameters in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF).METHODS: Eighty-four patients with PF participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the strengthening or stretching exercise groups. All patients received 8 physical therapy interventions two times per week in the first 4 weeks and performed daily strengthening or stretching exercises three times per day. After 4 weeks, they continued the assigned exercise programs every day for 8 weeks. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at the worst and in the morning and temporospatial gait parameters were evaluated at the baseline, intermediate of the intervention, end of the intervention, and the first and second month follow-up.RESULTS: There were significant effects of the time on the worst pain, morning pain, cadence, stride time, stride length, total double support, and gait speed, but there was no effect on step width. In addition, the main effect of the group and the interaction effects of the time and the group were not found in any parameters. For intra-group comparisons, there were significant differences in worst pain, morning pain, cadence, and stride time among the assessment times in both groups. For inter-group comparisons, there were no significant differences in all parameters.CONCLUSION: Both strengthening and stretching exercise programs significantly reduced pain and improved gait in patients with PF.
Exercise ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Diseases ; Gait ; Humans ; Muscle Stretching Exercises ; Resistance Training

Plantar heel pain is a common clinical problem in foot and ankle clinics. Typically, several conditions such as plantar fasciitis, fat pad atrophy, and calcaneal fracture may lead to plantar heel pain. However, subcalcaneal bursitis occurred between plantar fascia and plantar fat pad has rarely been described as a cause of plantar heel pain. To our knowledge, subcalcaneal bursitis has been reported only once, but there was no mention of preceding factors. We firstly present a case of subcalcaneal bursitis occurred after excessive walking exercise known as “Nordic walking” and successfully managed with conservative treatments that relieve impact on plantar heel.
Adipose Tissue ; Ankle ; Atrophy ; Bursitis ; Fascia ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; Foot ; Heel ; Walking

INTRODUCTION: Gastrocnemius recession and radiofrequency microtenotomy treat plantar fascia via different mechanisms. While studies have shown additive effects in performing plantar fasciotomy in conjunction with gastrocnemius recession, no such study exists examining the effects of performing radiofrequency microtenotomy with gastrocnemius recession. We hypothesised that performing both gastrocnemius recession and radiofrequency microtenotomy concurrently for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis is more effective than performing either procedure individually. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed all patients who underwent either a radiofrequency microtenotomy, a gastrocnemius recession, or both procedures concurrently between 2007 and 2014. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the SF-36 Health Survey, and 2 questions regarding patient satisfaction and met expectations were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively up to 1-year. RESULTS: Patients who underwent both procedures concurrently had significantly higher vitality scores on the SF-36 Health Survey at 1-year postoperatively compared to patients who underwent either procedure individually. Type of intervention offered and preoperative factors were not predictive for patient outcomes. CONCLUSION Combining radiofrequency microtenotomy and gastrocnemius recession in patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis and an underlying gastrocnemius contracture shows favourable medium- term outcomes compared to performing either procedure in isolation.
Combined Modality Therapy ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; surgery ; Fasciotomy ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Patient Satisfaction ; Radiofrequency Therapy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tenotomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

As the aging of the foot progresses, the stiffness of the soft tissues, the reduction of the range of motion, the decrease of the muscle strength, and the flattening of foot are manifested. These changes increase the risk of foot pain, the problem of weight distribution and transmission, and the risk of falls, resulting in secondary complications and lowering quality of life. The most common deformities and diseases of the elderly foot are hallux valgus, hammertoes, hallux rigidus, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, hyperkeratosis, and other deformities of the feet caused by chronic conditions. Systemic diseases that promote these foot problems include diabetes, peripheral nerve damage, repetitive ankle ligament injuries, deformities due to fractures, and obesity. Understanding the mechanisms of aging and the processing of biomechanics in the elderly will enable them to reach a healthy life through appropriate rehabilitation, exercise and educations during aging. In addition, it is necessary to promote the healthy life in elderly by customized exercise, training, and shoes.
Accidental Falls ; Aged ; Aging ; Ankle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; Flatfoot ; Foot Diseases ; Foot ; Hallux Rigidus ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Metatarsalgia ; Muscle Strength ; Obesity ; Peripheral Nerves ; Quality of Life ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Shoes ; Tendinopathy

The sources of shockwave generation include electrohydraulic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric principles, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) appears to have mechanical and biological effects on tissue healing. The application of ESWT to musculoskeletal disorders has been around for more than a decade and is used primarily in the treatment of calcific or non-calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, lateral and medial epicondylitis of the elbow, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinitis or proximal plantar fasciitis of the heel, myofascial pain syndrome, etc. ESWT is also used in the treatment of delayed union or non-union of long bone fractures, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and chronic diabetic ulcers. The vast majority of papers have reported positive and beneficial effects with few complications. The clinical application of ESWT has increased steadily. This article reviews the current status of ESWT in musculoskeletal disorders.
Elbow ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; Fractures, Bone ; Head ; Heel ; Magnets ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Necrosis ; Shock* ; Shoulder ; Tendinopathy ; Ulcer

INTRODUCTIONPlantar fasciitis is a commonly seen outpatient condition that has numerous treatment modalities of varying degrees of efficacy. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

METHODSOnline literature searches were performed on the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for studies on the use of acupuncture for pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Studies designed as randomised controlled trials and that compared acupuncture with standard treatments or had real versus sham acupuncture arms were selected. The Delphi list was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies retrieved.

RESULTSThree studies that compared acupuncture with standard treatment and one study on real versus sham acupuncture were found. These showed that acupuncture significantly reduced pain levels in patients with plantar fasciitis, as measured on the visual analogue scale and the Plantar Fasciitis Pain/Disability Scale. These benefits were noted between four and eight weeks of treatment, with no further significant reduction in pain beyond this duration. Side effects were found to be minimal.

CONCLUSIONAlthough acupuncture may reduce plantar fasciitis pain in the short term, there is insufficient evidence for a definitive conclusion regarding its effectiveness in the longer term. Further research is required to strengthen the acceptance of acupuncture among healthcare providers.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; Pain Management ; Pain Measurement ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSEPlantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel. It occurs when the strong band of the tissue supporting the arch of foot becomes irritated and inflamed. The majority of patients can be treated conservatively but some resistant cases need surgery eventually. This study aims to evaluate the outcome results of percutaneous planter fascia release under local anesthesia for chronic planter fasciitis.

METHODSThis prospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the School of Medical Science and Research, Sharda University, India from December 2010 to December 2013. Totally 78 patients with planter fasciitis for more than 6-12 months were recruited from the outpatient department. All patients were operated on under local anesthesia and followed up for a year.

RESULTSThe clinical results were evaluated in terms of pain, activity level and patient satisfaction. Pain relief was achieved averagely at eight weeks after surgery. The results were excellent in 88.46% (69/78) patients and good in 6.41% (9/78) patients. Neither complications of lateral column instability, sinus tarsitis and metatarsalgia nor wound-related complications were encountered. On subjective evaluations, 88.46% (69/78) patients reported full satisfaction and 6.41% (9/78) reported partial satisfaction after treatment.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous planter fasciitis release under local anesthesia is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the outpatient setting. It is easy, quick, effective and moreover with few complications.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in biomechanical parameters measured by gait analysis systems between healthy subjects and subjects with plantar fasciitis (PF), and to compare biomechanical parameters between ‘normal, barefooted’ gait and arch building gait in the participants. METHODS: The researchers evaluated 15 subjects (30 feet) with bilateral foot pain and 15 subjects (15 feet) with unilateral foot pain who had a clinical diagnosis of PF. Additionally, 17 subjects (34 feet) who had no heel pain were recruited. Subjects were excluded if they had a traumatic event, prior surgery or fractures of the lower limbs, a leg length discrepancy of 1 cm or greater, a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2, or had musculoskeletal disorders. The participants were asked to walk with an arch building gait on a treadmill at 2.3 km/hr for 5 minutes. Various gait parameters were measured. RESULTS: With the arch building gait, the PF group proved that gait line length and single support line were significantly decreased, and lateral symmetry of the PF group was increased compared to that of the control group. The subjects with bilateral PF displayed significantly increased maximum pressure over the heel and the forefoot during arch building gait. In addition, the subjects with unilateral PF showed significantly increased maximum pressure over the forefoot with arch building gait. CONCLUSION: The researchers show that various biomechanical differences exist between healthy subjects and those with PF. Employing an arch building gait in patients with PF could be helpful in changing gait patterns to normal biomechanics.
Body Mass Index ; Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Plantar* ; Foot ; Gait* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heel ; Humans ; Leg ; Lower Extremity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical features of plantar fascia rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 312 patients with plantar fasciitis between March 2008 and February 2013. We investigated age, sex, site, visual analogue scale (VAS), body mass index (BMI), characteristics of pain, awareness of rupture, and duration of symptoms. Acute rupture was defined as a rupture that occurred during exercise; chronic rupture was defined as a degenerative rupture after plantar fasciitis. We investigated the frequency of acute and chronic rupture. RESULTS: Among 312 patients, 38 patients (12.2%) were diagnosed with plantar fascia rupture. Thirty-eight patients consisted of 14 men (36.8%) and 24 women (63.2%). The mean age of plantar fascia rupture was 58.29±12.54 years. The mean VAS score was 5.92 points (3~9 points). The mean BMI was 25.92±1.59 kg/m². Among the 38 patients, 2 patients had acute plantar fascia rupture and 36 had chronic plantar fascia rupture. In 34 patients—out of 36 chronic plantar fascia rupture, there were no subjective symptoms. CONCLUSION: Chronic rupture of the plantar fascia that occurred after plantar fasciitis was more common than acute rupture. Chronic rupture occurred at approximately 12% of patients treated with plantar fasciitis. In chronic rupture of the plantar fascia, there were no subjective symptoms of rupture. Therefore, we should doubt chronic rupture of plantar fascia when plantar fasciitis is prolonged.
Body Mass Index ; Fascia* ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture*

Plantar fasciitis is a very common cause of inferior heel pain that can be triggered and aggravated by prolonged standing, walking, running and obesity, among other factors. Treatments are largely noninvasive and efficacious. Supportive treatments, including the plantar fascia-specific stretch, calf stretching, appropriate orthotics and night dorsiflexion splinting, can alleviate plantar fascia pain. While local injections of corticosteroids can help with pain relief, the effects are short-lived and must be weighed against the risk of fat pad atrophy and plantar fascia rupture. Ultrasonography-guided focal extracorporeal shock wave therapy is useful for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis and referrals for this treatment can be made in recalcitrant cases. Activity modification to decrease cyclical repetitive loading of the plantar fascia should be advised during the treatment phase regardless of the chosen treatment modality.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; Exercise Therapy ; methods ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Injections ; Outpatients ; Walking ; physiology