Conservative Therapy Interventions in Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is seen common in clinics and responsible from most of foot related pain problems. There are many treatment modalities in the literature as well as there is no golden standard to treat plantar fasciitis in non-surgical ways. The aim of this study is to compare intensive physiotherapy program, home based exercise program and control group decide the most effective rehabilitation program in plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is frequently seen in adult population as a pain related problem of the foot. Pain, as a most prominent symptom, is caused from repetitive microtraumas and inflammation where plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneus. Pain starts from heel pad or medial tubercule of the calcaneus and spreads through plantar fascia and medial longitudinal arch. Obesity, increased foot pronation, difference in extremity length, long standing duration and Achilles tendon tightness are some of the factors which stress plantar fascia and sometimes cause degenerative changes on it. Weakness of intrinsic muscle is also another factor which is thought to be related with plantar fasciitis. Diagnosis is mostly depends on history and physical examination. First steps in the morning, walking after long rest, and palpation of medial tubercule of calcaneus are painful. According to the literature, non-surgical treatment modalities relieve symptoms of patients successfully. Orthotics, night splints, manipulation interventions with conventional methods are effective to decrease pain and improve function. There are various physiotherapy treatment approaches in plantar fasciitis but there is no consensus about most effective treatment program. Stretching of plantar flexor muscles and plantar fascia is one of the core elements of the treatment plan. Strengthening exercises together with stretching were shown more effective than only stretching. Foot orthoses are thought to prevent increased pronation and relieving stress on plantar fascia in patients with plantar fasciitis. Usage of insoles with night splints is found more effective. Taping is also helpful to acute pain control. Short foot exercises as isolated intrinsic foot muscles strengthening helps to providing subtalar foot position and supports plantar fascia and foot arches. Manual techniques improve lower extremity joint mobility and decreases related pain. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is suggested to try after at least six month ineffective conservative treatments. If symptoms resist more than six months and non-conservative treatments are found ineffective, invasive approaches as steroid injections are applicable. Treatment of this common problem in population is important to ensure patients returning in earliest period to daily life with full physical capacity. There are many conservative options to treat plantar fasciitis but best treatment program combination was not clear The aim of this study is to compare intensive physiotherapy program, home based exercise program and control group decide the most effective rehabilitation program in plantar fasciitis.

Strengthening and stretching exercises,cross friction massage (supervised by physiotherapist) Mobilization techniques Daily usage of prescribed orthotic insole

Strengthening exercises ( extrinsic and intrinsic foot muscles) Stretcthing exercises (plantar fascia, plantar flexor muscles)

Perception of pain with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with palpation, first steps in the morning and after long walk. The Visual Analog Scale is a valid and reliable measure of pain intensity. To rate pain intensity a mark is placed on a 100-mm VAS. The VAS is horizontally positioned with the extremes labeled''least possible pain'' and ''worst possible pain. Using a ruler, the score is determined by measuring the distance (mm) on the 100 mm line between the "no pain" anchor and the patient's mark, providing a range of scores from 0-100. A higher score indicates greater pain intensity. Subjects will be asked to rate pain in three different conditions as palpation, first steps in the morning and after long walk.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life - Bref Questionnaire is a 26-item self-administered instrument consisting of four domains: physical health (7 items), psychological health (6 items), social relationships (3 items), and environmental health (8 items); it also contains QOL and general health items. Each individual item of the WHOQOL-BREF is scored from 1 to 5 on a response scale, which is stipulated as a five-point ordinal scale. The scores are then transformed linearly to a 0-100-scale. Higher score presents better quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria: Older than 18 years, Baseline Roles and Maudsley score > 2, Accepting and signing consent form Daily usage of insoles which was prescribed by doctor No history of systemic disease and surgery that affects foot biomechanics No history of cognitive, mental, neurological or psychological problems. Exclusion Criteria: Presence of chronic or active infection in treatment site, Not accepting to participate in the study Systemic, neurologic, rheumatologic,and vascular disease history, Pregnancy, BMI > 35 kg/m2, History of foot and/or ankle surgery.

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