Effectiveness of Mechanical Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review

Context: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot injuries. Several mechanical treatment options, including shoe inserts, ankle-foot orthoses, tape, and shoes are used to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of mechanical treatment in the management of plantar fasciitis. Evidence Acquisition: The review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane up to March 8, 2018. Two independent reviewers screened eligible articles and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Evidence Synthesis: A total of 43 articles were included in the study, evaluating 2837 patients. Comparisons were made between no treatment and treatment with insoles, tape, ankle-foot orthoses including night splints and shoes. Tape, ankle-foot orthoses, and shoes were also compared with insoles. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 5 days to 12 months. Cointerventions were present in 26 studies. Conclusions: Mechanical treatment can be beneficial in relieving symptoms related to plantar fasciitis. Contoured full-length insoles are more effective in relieving symptoms related to plantar fasciitis than heel cups. Combining night splints or rocker shoes with insoles enhances improvement in pain relief and function compared with rocker shoes, night splints, or insoles alone. Taping is an effective short-term treatment. Future studies should aim to improve methodological quality using blinding, allocation concealment, avoid cointerventions, and use biomechanical measures of treatment effects.

Download Full-text

Mechanical Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/87507315-91-2-55 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

pp. 55-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Joe E. Martin ◽

Jonathan C. Hosch ◽

W. Preston Goforth ◽

Randall T. Murff ◽

D. Matt Lynch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Severe Pain ◽

Mechanical Treatment ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Patient Withdrawal ◽

Custom Made ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Night Splints

A randomized, prospective study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of three individual mechanical modalities in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Two hundred fifty-five subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: custom-made orthoses, over-the-counter arch supports, or tension night splints. Subjects were treated for 3 months, with follow-up visits at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. No statistically significant difference was noted among treatment groups with respect to final outcomes based on first-step pain or pain felt during the day. However, there was a statistically significant difference among the three groups with respect to early patient withdrawal from the study due to continued severe pain, noncompliance, or inability to tolerate the device. Patient compliance was greatest with the use of custom-made orthoses. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 91(2): 55-62, 2001)

Download Full-text

The Use of Night Splints for Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

Foot & Ankle ◽

10.1177/107110079101200301 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 135-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Keith L. Wapner ◽

Peter F. Sharkey

Keyword(s):

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Successful Resolution ◽

Continued Use ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Night Splints ◽

Night Splint ◽

Effective Adjunct

This study reports the results of the use of molded ankle foot orthosis night splints for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis on 14 patients with a total of 18 symptomatic feet. All patients had symptoms for greater than 1 year and had previously undergone treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections, shoe modifications, and physical therapy without resolution. All patients were provided with custom-molded polypropylene ankle foot orthoses in 5° of dorsiflexion to be used as a night splint. With continued use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, Tuli heel cups, Spenco liners, and general stretching exercises, successful resolution occurred in 11 patients in less than 4 months. There were three failures. It is felt that the use of night splints provides a useful, cost-effective adjunct to current therapeutic regimens of plantar fasciitis.

Download Full-text

The effects of ankle-foot orthoses on walking speed in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215519887784 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 145-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Saeed Shahabi ◽

Hosein Shabaninejad ◽

Mohammad Kamali ◽

Maryam Jalali ◽

Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Foot Orthoses ◽

Quality Of Evidence ◽

Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Foot Orthosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ankle-foot orthoses on speed walking in patients with stroke. Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, PEDro, RehabData, RECAL, and ProQuest were searched from inception until 30 September 2019. Review methods: This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline statement. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Begg’s test and Egger’s regression method were used to assess the publication bias. Trim and fill analysis was also used to adjust any potential publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of individual studies. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Results: Overall, 14 studies were included with a total of 1186 participants. A small-to-moderate and non-significant improvement in favor of the ankle-foot orthosis versus without ankle-foot orthosis (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = −0.15 to 0.96), similar effects of ankle-foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation (SMD = 0.00, 95% confidence interval = −0.16 to 0.16), and a small and non-significant improvement in favor of ankle-foot orthosis versus another type of ankle-foot orthosis (SMD = 0.22, 95% confidence interval = −0.05 to 0.49) in walking speed were found. However, the quality of evidence for all comparisons was low or very low. Conclusion: Despite reported positive effects in some studies, there is no firm evidence of any benefit of ankle-foot orthoses on walking speed.

Download Full-text

Foot Orthoses for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Yearbook of Orthopedics ◽

10.1016/s0276-1092(08)70186-x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 ◽

pp. 184-186

Author(s):

B.F. Morrey

Keyword(s):

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Foot Orthoses

Download Full-text

Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Dextrose Versus Corticosteroid in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Management: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Foot & Ankle Specialist ◽

10.1177/1938640020980924 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 193864002098092

Author(s):

Gholamreza Raissi ◽

Amin Arbabi ◽

Maryam Rafiei ◽

Bijan Forogh ◽

Arash Babaei-Ghazani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Corticosteroid Injection ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Plantar Fascia ◽

Numeric Rating Scale ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Double Blind

Design Chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of chronic heel pain, with different conventional treatment options. In this randomized clinical trial, the effect of ultrasound-guided injection of dextrose versus corticosteroid in chronic PF was evaluated and compared. Methods A total of 44 patients suffering from chronic PF who visited the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were enrolled in the study. Two table-randomized groups were formed. They received an ultrasonography-guided, single injection of either 40 mg methylprednisolone or 20% dextrose. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire with 2 subscales, Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-A) and Sports (FAAM-S), along with ultrasonographic parameters were evaluated before and at 2 and 12 weeks after the injection. Results. A total of 40 participants completed the study. Both interventions significantly improved pain and function at 2 and 12 weeks postinjection. After 2 weeks, compared with the dextrose prolotherapy, the corticosteroid group had significantly lower daytime and morning NRS scores (2.55 vs 4.1, P = .012, and 2.75 vs 4.65, P = .004), higher FAAM-S (66.84 vs 54.19; P = .047), and lower plantar fascia thickness at insertion and 1 cm distal to the insertion zone (3.89 vs 4.29 mm, P = .004, and 3.13 vs 3.48 mm, P = .002), whereas FAAM-A was similar in both groups ( P = .219). After 12 weeks, all study variables were statistically similar between corticosteroid and dextrose prolotherapy groups. No injection-related side effects were recorded in either group. Conclusion Both methods are effective. Compared with dextrose prolotherapy, our results show that corticosteroid injection may have superior therapeutic effects early after injection, accompanied by a similar outcome at 12 weeks postinjection. Levels of Evidence: Level II

Download Full-text

Individual stiffness optimization of dorsal leaf spring ankle–foot orthoses in people with calf muscle weakness is superior to standard bodyweight-based recommendations

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s12984-021-00890-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Niels F. J. Waterval ◽

Merel-Anne Brehm ◽

Jaap Harlaar ◽

Frans Nollet

Keyword(s):

Muscle Weakness ◽

Energy Cost ◽

Activity Level ◽

Calf Muscle ◽

Leaf Spring ◽

Foot Orthoses ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

The Individual ◽

Optimal Stiffness ◽

Walking Energy Cost

Abstract Background In people with calf muscle weakness, the stiffness of dorsal leaf spring ankle–foot orthoses (DLS-AFO) needs to be individualized to maximize its effect on walking. Orthotic suppliers may recommend a certain stiffness based on body weight and activity level. However, it is unknown whether these recommendations are sufficient to yield the optimal stiffness for the individual. Therefore, we assessed whether the stiffness following the supplier’s recommendation of the Carbon Ankle7 (CA7) dorsal leaf matched the experimentally optimized AFO stiffness. Methods Thirty-four persons with calf muscle weakness were included and provided a new DLS-AFO of which the stiffness could be varied by changing the CA7® (Ottobock, Duderstadt, Germany) dorsal leaf. For five different stiffness levels, including the supplier recommended stiffness, gait biomechanics, walking energy cost and speed were assessed. Based on these measures, the individual experimentally optimal AFO stiffness was selected. Results In only 8 of 34 (23%) participants, the supplier recommended stiffness matched the experimentally optimized AFO stiffness, the latter being on average 1.2 ± 1.3 Nm/degree more flexible. The DLS-AFO with an experimentally optimized stiffness resulted in a significantly lower walking energy cost (− 0.21 ± 0.26 J/kg/m, p < 0.001) and a higher speed (+ 0.02 m/s, p = 0.003). Additionally, a larger ankle range of motion (+ 1.3 ± 0.3 degrees, p < 0.001) and higher ankle power (+ 0.16 ± 0.04 W/kg, p < 0.001) were found with the experimentally optimized stiffness compared to the supplier recommended stiffness. Conclusions In people with calf muscle weakness, current supplier’s recommendations for the CA7 stiffness level result in the provision of DLS-AFOs that are too stiff and only achieve 80% of the reduction in energy cost achieved with an individual optimized stiffness. It is recommended to experimentally optimize the CA7 stiffness in people with calf muscle weakness in order to maximize treatment outcomes. Trial registration Nederlands Trial Register 5170. Registration date: May 7th 2015. http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5170.

Download Full-text