Effects of Hamstring Stretching With Conventional Physical Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the main causes of heel pain. it is caused by the micro trauma to the site of attachment of plantar fascia at its origin on the medial tubercle of calcaneus resulting in inflammation. Plantar fascia is a fibrous band present at the bottom of foot which attaches heel to each of the toes.plantar fascia has a windlass mechanism which continuously stretches and shortens facilitating foot movements during walk.

During the standing phase all the tension forces are gathered at calcaneal tuberosity, which is a site of attachment for plantar fascia on heel. Pain is generally present at the medial side of heel to the medial arch of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is often caused in people who have long periods of standing, involved in activities like running, jumping or other repeated activities. After knowing the exact mechanism it is suggested that it should be termed as planter fasciosis.Plantar fasciitis accounts for almost 80% of the total heel pain experienced by the people.

Planter fasciitis is treated with various treatment options. Initially it is treated by conservative treatments such as, rest, ice massage, foot ware modification, oral analgesics, stretching techniques, physical therapy modalities, and night splinting. If pain do not resolve with conservative treatment then further treatment options will be extracorporeal shock wave therapy, cortisone injections and surgery.

Diana et al concluded that addition of manual techniques for trigger point release along with stretching of plantar fascia is more effective than stretching alone. In a randomized control trial with a follow up of 12 months high load strength training was found to be quicker and more efficient treatment for plantar fasciitis. another RCT conducted in 2017 reported that stretching of Achilles tendon along with plantar fascia is twice effective than only plantar fascia stretching.