• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2021

Purpose : This study was to investigate the effectiveness of ESWT and plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise vs ESWT and high-load strengthening exercise in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods : The subjects were randomized to extracorporeal shock wave therapy ( ESWT, for 3 weeks) and daily plantar-specific stretching (Group I: Stretch group) or ESWT and high-load progressive strength (Group II: Strength group) performed every second day. The main outcome measures were ultrasound, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Korean Foot Function Index (KFFI). The ultrasound (plantar fascia thickness), pain intensity I, II (the most painful of the day?, the pain when you first step in the morning?) and KFFI (functional performance) were compared between the groups. Results : No significant difference was observed between the groups in the plantar fascia thickness but pain intensity I, II was significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 at only 12weeks and functional performance was also significantly increased in Group 2 compared to Group 1 at only 12 weeks. Conclusion : The high-load strengthening exercise consisting of the progressive exercise protocol, resulted in superior after 12 weeks compared with plantar-specific stretching. High-load strength exercise may aid in a quicker reduction in pain and improvements in functional performance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 2021

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions of the lower limbs. The present study aimed to compare the effect of hip muscle strengthening exercise and stretching of lower extremity in plantar fasciitis, with regard to pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability. Methods: A total of 42 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=21) that applied the hip muscle strengthening exercise and the control group(n=21) that applied the general lower limb stretching. The intervention period was 6 weeks. Results: The results of the experiment showed that the exercises for strengthening the hip muscle had significant effects on pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability In addition, lower extremity stretching showed improvement effects in pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability, however, the difference between the groups except navicular drop did not reach statistical significance Conclusion: Both interventions tested in this study were confirmed to be effective treatment options for patients with plantar fasciitis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.122-127
• /
• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome of proximal plantar fasciitis after nonoperative treatment, and also to find the correlation of the heel pain with the plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The study is based on 41 patients, 46 feet of the proximal plantar fasciitis that were treated conservatively with at least 12 months follow-up. All were treated with heel pad, Achilles and plantar fascia stretching and pain medications for at least 3 months. Heel ultrasonography was performed at the beginning of the treatment to measure the plantar fascia (PF) thickness and the echogenicity. PF thickness over 4 mm and less were grouped in to group A and B respectively to compare the clinical outcome. Results: Average thickness of the PF at the calcaneal attach was 5.2 mm. Symptom duration before the treatment was average 13.2 month; group A being 14.6 months and group B being 9.0 months with no significant difference (p=0.09). As functional evaluation, Roles-Maudsley score improved from 3.4 initially to 2.3 at final follow-up, while morning heel pain also improved from average VAS pain score of 7.2 to 4.0. However Maudsley and VAS score both didn't show statistical difference between the 2 groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Plantar fasciitis improved substantially with the nonoperative treatments. However, the 2 groups, divided according to 4 mm thickness by ultrasonography, didn't show significant difference in either symptom duration or in the clinical outcomes.