Efficacy of Combined Physiotherapy Approaches on Pain Pressure Threshold Foot Functions and Quality of life in middle aged patients with Plantar Fasciitis- A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common cause of heel pain and

gait difficulties in Indian population. Patients with Plantar fasciitis tend to walk more

slowly than healthy individuals, They show significant reduction in cadence, gait

speed, stride length .An abnormal biomechanical parameter is considered as the risk

factor for plantar fasciitis. Strengthening Exercises and Stretching are widely used

for reduction of pain and improving biomechanical parameters.

Methodology: Participants having Plantar fasciitis are randomly allocated into Group

A and Group B, Group A receives invertors and evertors strengthening with resistive

bands along with therapeutic ultrasound for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks and

Group B receives stretching of Plantar fascia along with Therapeutic Ultrasound for 3

sessions per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures are Pain which is assessed by

VAS, Foot functions which is assessed by Foot function Index and Gait

Parameters(stride length, step length,) which are assessed by Footprint method.

Result: 30 participants are allocated into Group A and Group B, Group A will show

significant reduction in pain and improvement in gait parameters.

Conclusion: Both strengthening exercises and stretching programs will be helpful in

reducing pain and in improving foot functions and gait parameters in patients with

Plantar fasciitis.

Keywords: Foot functions, Pain,Plantar fasciitis,Strengthening Exercises,Stretching