Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Heel Pain Due to Plantar Fasciitis

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tillu ◽  
S Gupta

Eighteen patients attending an orthopaedic outpatient clinic with a year or more's history of heel pain due to plantar fasciitis were studied. All had had conservative treatment of physiotherapy and shoe-support without significant pain relief before acupuncture was offered, and thus acted as their own controls for the purposes of the study. The following traditional points were needled: Taixi (KI.3), Kunlun (BL.60) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6). Pain was assessed by a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment was started and after four, weekly sessions of acupuncture treatment. If complete pain relief was not obtained by the initial four-week treatment, a further two, weekly sessions of the above mentioned acupoints, with the addition of trigger point acupuncture in the gastro-soleus and plantar fascia, was carried out and pain assessed. Patients were also assessed with a verbal rating score to indicate the percentage improvement after acupuncture compared to before treatment. The mean duration of heel pain was 25.11 months (SD 10.68). The VAS data obtained at 4 and 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment showed a statistically highly significant improvement compared to the VAS before acupuncture (p < 0.0009 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Using the Mann-Whitney test, there was a statistically significant difference in VAS obtained at 6 weeks, after trigger point acupuncture had been added for poor responders, compared to that obtained after the first 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment (p < 0.047). Our study demonstrates that acupuncture is effective in treating patients with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis and that the addition of trigger point acupuncture in poor or non-responders may be useful.

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
Yusak Mangara Tua Siahaan ◽  
Pricilla Yani Gunawan ◽  
Jeffry Foraldy Haryanto ◽  
Veli Sungono

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common problem caused by thickening of the plantar fascia. The normal plantar fascia thickness ranged between 2-3 mm and it was generally accepted that value more than 4mm was considered pathologic. Objective: to identify normal plantar fascia thickness in adults using ultrasonography. Methods: This is a cross sectional study measuring the thickness of plantar fascia in 145 subjects with no history of heel pain. Plantar fascia thickness was measured in both feet using an ultrasound. Age, height and weight were recorded and analysed. Results: As much as 145 subjects were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 0.7. Mean age was 44 and body mass index (BMI) was mostly within normal range. Plantar fascia thickness in male was 2.71 ± 0.48 mm in right foot, and 2.74 ± 0.47 mm in left foot. Fascia thickness in female was 2.55 ± 0.50 mm in right foot, and 2.57 ± 0.45 mm in left foot. There was a significant plantar fascia thickness difference between male and female (p = 0.035 in right foot, and p=0.04 in left foot). Age, weight and BMI had a significant correlation towards plantar fascia thickness. In multivariate analysis, age and BMI revealed to have a linear correlation to plantar fascia thickness Conclusion: Age and BMI were found to be the best predictive factor of plantar fascia thickness.


2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 539-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Cutts ◽  
N Obi ◽  
C Pasapula ◽  
W Chan

INTRODUCTION In this article we look at the aetiology of plantar fasciitis, the other common differentials for heel pain and the evidence available to support each of the major management options. We also review the literature and discuss the condition. METHODS A literature search was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE®. The following keywords were used, singly or in combination: ‘plantar fasciitis’, ‘plantar heel pain’, ‘heel spur’. To maximise the search, backward chaining of reference lists from retrieved papers was also undertaken. FINDINGS Plantar fasciitis is a common and often disabling condition. Because the natural history of plantar fasciitis is not understood, it is difficult to distinguish between those patients who recover spontaneously and those who respond to formal treatment. Surgical release of the plantar fascia is effective in the small proportion of patients who do not respond to conservative measures. New techniques such as endoscopic plantar release and extracorporeal shockwave therapy may have a role but the limited availability of equipment and skills means that most patients will continue to be treated by more traditional techniques.


2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadir Abul ◽  
Devrim Ozer ◽  
Secil Sezgin Sakizlioglu ◽  
Abdul Fettah Buyuk ◽  
Mehmet Akif Kaygusuz

Background Heel pain is a prevalent concern in orthopedic clinics, and there are numerous pathologic abnormalities that can cause heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, and the plantar fascia thickens in this process. It has been found that thickening to greater than 4 mm in ultrasonographic measurements can be accepted as meaningful in diagnoses. Herein, we aimed to measure normal plantar fascia thickness in adults using ultrasonography. Methods We used ultrasonography to measure the plantar fascia thickness of 156 healthy adults in both feet between April 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011. These adults had no previous heel pain. The 156 participants comprised 88 women (56.4%) and 68 men (43.6%) (mean age, 37.9 years; range, 18–65 years). The weight, height, and body mass index of the participants were recorded, and statistical analyses were conducted. Results The mean ± SD (range) plantar fascia thickness measurements for subgroups of the sample were as follows: 3.284 ± 0.56 mm (2.4–5.1 mm) for male right feet, 3.3 ± 0.55 mm (2.5–5.0 mm) for male left feet, 2.842 ± 0.42 mm (1.8–4.1 mm) for female right feet, and 2.8 ± 0.44 mm (1.8–4.3 mm) for female left feet. The overall mean ± SD (range) thickness for the right foot was 3.035 ± 0.53 mm (1.8–5.1 mm) and for the left foot was 3.053 ± 0.54 mm (1.8–5.0 mm). There was a statistically significant and positive correlation between plantar fascia thickness and participant age, weight, height, and body mass index. Conclusions The plantar fascia thickness of adults without heel pain was measured to be less than 4 mm in most participants (~92%). There was no statistically significant difference between the thickness of the right and left foot plantar fascia.


Author(s):  
Khurshid Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Suhail Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Khalid Muzaffar ◽  
Muhammad Haseeb

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative disease of plantar fascia and is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The response to any treatment modality is unpredictable. The autologous blood might induce healing in the areas of degeneration by providing cellular and humoral components. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the results of autologous blood injection in plantar fasciitis.Methods: Thirty-two patients (average age of 42.4 years), 14 males (43.7%) and 18 females (56.2%) with history of chronic heel pain of more than 6 months duration were taken up for autologous blood injection. All the patients in this study were clinically evaluated and the visual analogous pain score was calculated from each patient pre-procedure and at 3 and 6 months after the procedure.Results: There was a significant improvement in VAS pain score in this study. Pre-procedure VAS pain score of 6.9 (average 4-10) was reduced to a mean score of 4.28 (average 0-9) at 3 months and a mean score of 3 (average 0-9) at 6 months.Conclusions: Autologous blood is an effective method of controlling pain in patients with plantar fasciitis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Ng ◽  
Terrance Beegle ◽  
Andrea K. Rockett

This article describes a patient with plantar fascial pain who presented to the office of one of the authors. Physical examination and the patient’s description of the history of symptoms revealed classic signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The patient was treated with numerous conservative modalities, including ultrasound, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, trigger-point injections, over-the-counter orthoses, and stretching exercises. When the pain was not relieved by these conservative measures, magnetic resonance imaging of the area was performed. Visualization of the insertional area of the plantar fascia revealed a mass inferior to, as well as infiltrated into, the plantar fascia. Surgical excision of the lesion resulted in complete elimination of the patient’s pain. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 91(2): 89-92, 2001)


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2165
Author(s):  
Du-Hwan Kim ◽  
Jae-Hyeong Choi ◽  
Chul-Hyun Park ◽  
Hee-Jin Park ◽  
Kyung-Jae Yoon ◽  
...  

No consensus exists concerning the diagnostic role or cutoff value of the Achilles tendon thickness on ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. This study sought to assess the diagnostic utility of US measurement of the thickness and echogenicity of the Achilles tendon for the insertional Achilles tendinopathy in patients with heel pain, and to compare the results with those of the plantar fascia for the plantar fasciitis. We conducted US examinations in consecutive patients who presented with unilateral or bilateral heel pain at the foot clinic of a single tertiary hospital from February 2016 to December 2020. Each US evaluation assessed the thickness and echogenicity of the insertion area of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. We retrospectively compared these parameters between patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis and normal controls and analyzed the diagnostic utility of these parameters. Based on clinical diagnosis, 44 feet were diagnosed with insertional Achilles tendinopathy, 109 feet were diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and 32 feet were classified as normal. There was a significant difference in the thickness of the plantar fascia between the plantar fasciitis and normal control groups (p = 0.032). There was also a significant difference in the echogenicity of the plantar fascia between the plantar fasciitis and normal groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the thickness of the insertional area of the Achilles tendon between the insertional Achilles tendinopathy and normal groups (p = 0.132). There was a significant difference in the echogenicity of the insertional area of the Achilles tendon between the insertional Achilles tendinopathy and normal groups (p < 0.001). US measurement of the thickness of the insertional area of the Achilles tendon might not reflect the clinical status of insertional Achilles tendinopathy, unlike that of plantar fasciitis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Moosaei Saein ◽  
Ziaeddin Safavi-Farokhi ◽  
Atefeh Aminianfar ◽  
Marzieh Mortezanejad

Context: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common and devastating disease. Despite different treatments, there is no clear evidence for the effect of these treatments on PF. One of the therapy methods used in physiotherapy is dry needling (DN). So the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of DN on the pain and range of motion of the ankle joint and plantar fascia thickness in subjects with PF who are suffering from the trigger points of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Methods: In this study, 20 volunteer females with PF were randomly assigned into DN treatment and control groups. Measurements were range of motion in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, plantar fascia thickness, and visual analog scale measured before, immediately, and 1 month after the end of the intervention in both groups. Results: There were significant differences in the plantar fascia thickness and visual analog scale between the 2 groups. Plantar fascia thickness (P = .016) and visual analog scale (P = .03) significantly decreased in the treatment group. However, there was no significant difference in plantar flexion (P = .582) and dorsiflexion range of motion (P = .173) between groups. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that DN can reduce pain and plantar fascia thickness in women with PF who are suffering from trigger points of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Level of evidence: Level 1, randomized controlled trial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1072-1082
Author(s):  
Dovile Naruseviciute ◽  
Raimondas Kubilius

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for plantar fasciitis. Design: A participant blind randomized controlled trial with parallel group design and an active comparator with follow-up at four weeks. Settings: Outpatient, University hospital. Subjects: Unilateral plantar fasciitis participants ( n = 102) were randomly assigned into two groups. Recruitment period was from January 2017 to April 2019. Interventions: Interventions included eight sessions of laser therapy over three weeks and single session of patient education. The HILT group ( n = 51) received HILT and the LLLT group ( n = 51) received LLLT. Main measures: Primary outcomes: visual analogue scale; secondary outcomes: pressure algometry, sonography of plantar fascia thickness (time frame: baseline to three-week and four-week follow-up) and numeric rating scale (0%–100%) for opinion of participants on effect of treatment (time frame: three weeks). Data presented: mean (SD) or n (%). Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups according to visual analogue scale (pain in general reduction in three weeks: 2.57(3.45) vs. 2.88(3.28) cm), pressure algometry (pain threshold difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 1.80(6.39) vs. 1.77(2.85) kg) and sonography measurements (plantar fascia thickness difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 0.19(0.56) vs. 0.30(0.57) mm). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in participants’ opinion in favor to HILT group (efficacy of treatment better than 50%: 26(51%) vs. 37(73%)). Conclusion: No statistically significant difference between groups was observed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melih Malkoc ◽  
Ozgur Korkmaz ◽  
Adnan Kara ◽  
Ismail Oltulu ◽  
Ferhat Say

ABSTRACTPlantar fasciitis is a disorder caused by inflammation of the insertion point of the plantar fascia over the medial tubercle of the calcaneus. Foot orthotics are used to treat plantar fasciitis. Heel pads medialise the centre of force, whereas medial arch supporting insoles lateralise the force. We assessed the clinical results of the treatment of plantar fasciitis with silicone heel pads and medial arch-supported silicone insoles.We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with heel pain. A total of 35 patients in the first group were treated with medial arch supporting insoles, and 40 patients in the second group were treated with heel pads. The patients were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) at the first and last examinations.The mean VAS score in the first group was 8.6±1,2 (6-10); the FAAM daily activity score was 66.2±16 (41.2-95.0), and the sporting activity score was 45.4±24,4 (0.1-81) before treatment. At the last follow-up in this group, the mean VAS score was 5.3±1,5 (0-9); the FAAM daily activity score was 83,0±15,1 (55,9-100), and the sporting activity score was 73,5±26,2 (25-100). The mean VAS score in the second group was 8,6±0,9 (7-10); the FAAM daily activity score was 66.4±17 (41.4-95.2), and the sporting activity score was 45.8±24,2 (0.8-81, 3) before the treatment. At the last follow-up in this group, the mean VAS score was 5.5±1,2 (0-9); the FAAM daily activity score was 83.4±14,9 (60, 2-100), and the sporting activity score was 73.8±26 (28-100).There was no significant difference in the clinical results of both groups. The force distribution by the use of silicone heel pads and medial arch-supported silicone insoles had no effect on the clinical results of the treatment of plantar fasciitis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Yelverton ◽  
Sunil Rama ◽  
Bernhard Zipfel

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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document