Abstract
This review focuses on the various techniques of conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis and posterior heel pain. Being the optimal therapy controversial, the intent is to drive surgeons and rehabilitation specialists in the choice of the strategies. The Data sources were MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Psych INFO databases using the selected key words. Studies have been selected for review using as criteria English, adults, clinical population and intervention. Among several published studies about rehabilitation and fasciitis, only a few showed bases on scientific evidence. Moreover, many studies were heterogeneous and included different outcomes and evaluations. There is consensus that a specific rehabilitation program is necessary to avoid chronicity. However, the real efficacy of every specific treatment (orthoses, stretching, radiotherapy, botulin toxin, shock waves, corticosteroid therapy, and platelet rich plasma) is still questionable, and often related to the experience of the authors. In conclusion, patients undergoing physiotherapy obtain a better and faster outcome achievement than non-treated patients; however, evidence-based treatments, protocols and clinical trials are recommended.
Highlights
Plantar fasciitis is a very common disease and it accounts for an estimated one million visits per year to office-based physicians and hospital department [1]
Being one of the most common causes of heel pain, usually the disorder is prevalent in runners and people who are over-weight; it is prevalent in patients with inflammatory arthritis [2]
At three months follow-up, there were no statistically differences in pain reduction between the three groups: the results suggested that custom orthoses, prefabricated orthoses and night splints all have similar outcomes for patients with plantar fasciitis
Summary
Plantar fasciitis is a very common disease and it accounts for an estimated one million visits per year to office-based physicians and hospital department [1]. Plantar fasciitis involves predominantly the proximal insertion of the aponeurosis (enthesis) which is adapted to shearing and bending forces; enthesis play a role in redistribution of compressive forces. The aetiology of plantar fasciitis is assumed to be due to excessive tensile loading, exacerbated by abnormal biomechanics of the legs such as pes planus, leg length discrepancy, and tightness of calf muscles [2,3]. The purpose of this review is to analyze the various techniques of conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis and to identify which one showed effectiveness and scientific validation.
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