Original Research

Manual therapy interventions in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A comparison of three approaches

Christopher Yelverton, Sunil Rama, Bernhard Zipfel
Health SA Gesondheid | Vol 24 | a1244 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v24i0.1244 | © 2019 Christopher Yelverton, Sunil Rama, Bernhard Zipfel | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 October 2018 | Published: 25 September 2019

About the author(s)

Christopher Yelverton, Department of Chiropractic, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sunil Rama, Department of Chiropractic, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Bernhard Zipfel, Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the common causes of heel pain and a common musculoskeletal problem often observed by clinicians. Numerous options are available in treating plantar fasciitis conservatively, but no previous studies have compared combined conservative management protocols.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare manipulation of the foot and ankle and cross friction massage of the plantar fascia; cross friction massage of the plantar fascia and gastrocsoleus complex stretching; and a combination of the aforementioned protocols in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Setting: This study was conducted at the University of Johannesburg, Chiropractic Day Clinic, and included participants that complied with relevant inclusion criteria.

Methods: Forty-five participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years with heel pain for more than 3 months were divided into three groups and received one of the proposed treatment interventions. The data collected were range of motion (ROM) of the ankle (using a goniometer) and pain perception using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Functional foot index and algometer.

Results: The results of this study indicate that cross friction massage of the plantar fascia and stretching of the gastrocsoleus complex showed the greatest overall improvement in terms of reducing the pain and disability and ankle dorsiflexion ROM, whereas the combination group showed the greatest increase in plantar flexion.

Conclusion: The results demonstrated that all three protocols had a positive effect on the ROM and pain perception to patients with plantar fasciitis.


Keywords

Chiropractic; McGill Pain Questionnaire and Foot Functional Index; Goniometer; Algometer; Plantar Fasciitis

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5981
Total article views: 9284

 

Crossref Citations

1. The effectiveness of “Dijital Steps” web based telerehabilitation system for patient with hindfoot pain: A randomised controlled trial
Elif Tuğçe Çil, Tacha Serif, Uğur Şaylı, Feryal Subaşı
The Foot  vol: 56  first page: 102040  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2023.102040