Functional Outcome of Plantar Fascia Specific Exercise Versus Corticosteroid Injection In Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Umar Zia Khan, Wali Muhammad, Mian Amjad Ali, Faaiz Ali Shah

Abstract

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of plantar fascia specific stretching exercise with steroid injection in chronic plantar fasciitis.

Study design

Experimental study.

Place & Duration of study

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, From December 2016 to October 2017.

Methodology•

Patients with symptoms of plantar fasciitis for minimum of ten months were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment groups. Group A were treated with plantar fascia specific stretching exercise while Group B received corticosteroid injection. Pain subscale of the Foot Function Index was completed for all patients and they were reevaluated at 2 and 6 months.

Results

Fifty patients were included in this study. The pain subscale score of the Foot Function Index and pain with first steps in morning showed significant improvement in Group A in comparison to Group B at six months (p<0.00001 and p=0.0004 respectively).

Conclusion

Plantar fascia specific stretching exercise yielded better outcome in comparison with corticosteroid injection in treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Key words

Chronic plantar fasciitis, Plantar fascia specific stretching exercise, Corticosteroid injection, Foot Function Index score.