Plantar fasciitis: patients outcomes after 12-week Exercises Rehabilitation program

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common disorders of foot associated with pain and limitations to activities. Aim: To investigate outcomes of patients with plantar fasciitis after 12-week exercises rehabilitation program. Patients and methods: Research design: A randomized controlled trial. Sample and setting: Sixty-four patients with plantar fasciitis attended to orthopedic department and orthopedic outpatients clinic at Assiut University Hospitals. Patients were assigned randomly into 2 equal groups as odd number (intervention group) and double number (control group). This study introduced exercises rehabilitation program to intervention group. Outcomes were measured at the time of assessment in orthopedic department and orthopedic outpatients clinic and then each 4 weeks for 12-week in orthopedic outpatients clinic. Tools: assessment sheet for patient with plantar fasciitis, numeric pain rating scale, foot functional index, American orthopedic foot and ankle society scale and exercises adherence logbook. Results: Statistical significant difference (p.value <0.05) was found between intervention and control groups at the second and third month of follow up as regard numeric pain rating scale (p.value <0.05), foot functional index (p.value <0.001) and American orthopedic foot and ankle society scale (p.value <0.05). Conclusion: The 12-week exercises rehabilitation program; plantar fascia stretching, Achilles tendon stretching and roll plantar fascia with frozen water bottle reducing pain and improving functional recovery and foot function for patients with plantar fasciitis. Recommendations: The 12-week exercises rehabilitation program should be advocated as one of the significant modalities to manage pain and improve functional recovery and foot function for patients with plantar fasciitis.