Comparative Effects of Graston Technique Vs Positional Release Technique on Pain, Function and Pain Pressure Threshold in Patients with Chronic Plantar Fasciitis- an Experimental Study

Comparative Effects of Graston Technique Vs Positional Release Technique on Pain, Function and Pain Pressure Threshold in Patients with Chronic Plantar Fasciitis- an Experimental Study

1.1 Need of the study

The main purpose of this study is to find out which technique from Graston,  positional release technique and conventional therapy gives more effective results on pain, function and pain pressure threshold in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

1.2 Objective of the study

1.     To evaluate the effect of Graston technique (GT) on pain, function and pain pressure threshold in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

2.     To evaluate the effect of Positional Release Technique (PRT) on pain, function and pain pressure threshold in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

3.    To compare the effect of Graston technique (GT) versus Positional Release technique (PRT) on pain, function and pain pressure threshold in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

1.3 Methodology:

1. Study design: a pre-post experimental study

2. Study population: Patients with plantar fasciitis.

3. Study sample: Patients of both genders between the age 25-50 years with chronic plantar fasciitis.

4. Sampling technique: Purposive sampling.

1.4 Inclusion criteria:

Patients who are ready to give consent and willing to participate in the study if they meet the following criteria

Patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis by clinical criteria.

Age group between 25-50 years.

Both male and female.

Duration of symptoms more than 6 weeks.

Tenderness of Grade I and II present on palpation on medial calcaneum.

Maximum heel pain with the 1st step in the morning or after prolonged immobilization.

Patient who is able to read and write in English or Gujarati language.

1.5 Exclusion criteria:

History of fracture, trauma or surgery in the foot or ankle before 6 months.

Congenital or acquired structural foot deformity like pes planus, pes cavus etc.

Subjects who had taken corticosteroid injection in heel before 6 months.

Subjects who are on NSAIDs.

Diabetic foot, open wound or burns.

Heel fat pad syndrome and/or Baxter nerve entrapment.

Subjects using modified footwear.

Subjects diagnosed with any infective condition of foot or any neurological, cardio-pulmonary, psychosomatic disorder.

Tumour or malignancy.

Pregnancy

Calcaneal spur on X-ray.

Subject undergoing any other treatment for the same condition from any other health practitioner.

1.6 Procedure:

The participants will be screened on basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study.

Their demographic data will be obtained.

Assessment of all the outcome measures will be done.

The participants will be allocated randomly into 3 groups by Computer Generated Random Numbers.

Group A: Graston technique + Conventional treatment (experimental group)

Group B: Positional Release technique + Conventional treatment (experimental group)

Group C: Conventional treatment (control group)

Total treatment will be 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks.

On the first day of the first week, baseline measurements of pain, function and pain pressure threshold will be taken. Total treatment will be of 4 weeks with 3 sessions per week (alternate day session). Post assessment data of pain, function and pain pressure threshold will be taken at the end of 4 weeks.