IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF THREE SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATION TECHNIQUES ON PAIN RESPONSE AND FLEXIBILITY IN CHRONIC PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background and Objectives: Plantar fasciitis is a common foot disorder in which patients have pain and tenderness at the sole of the foot. Rest, exercises, orthotics, taping, cryotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, whirlpool bath, and iontophoresis have been widely used to relieve plantar pain. Long term use of manual therapy techniques like myofascial release technique, positional release therapy and passive stretching have been used in the past to reduce pain and improve ankle range of motion. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the immediate effectiveness of myofascial release technique, positional release therapy and passive stretching on pain response and ankle flexibility in chronic plantar fasciitis. Material and methodology: A total of 60 participants with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomly allocated to Group A (myofascial release group) and Group B (positional release group) and Group C (passive stretching). Therapeutic ultrasound with intensity of 1W/cm2 and frequency of 1MHz for 5 min was given for a single session to all the patients and then given the manual techniques. Visual analogue scale, range of motion of the ankle were outcome measures that were assessed pre- and immediately post-interventional. Results: The study demonstrated statistical significant reduction in pain, in all three groups (p<0.0001). Ankle range of motion showed significant improvement in Group A (MFR). Group C (passive stretching) demonstrated significant improvement (p=0.001) as compared to Group B (PRT). Conclusion: All three manual techniques with therapeutic ultrasound were effective in immediate relief of pain and improving ankle range of motion in subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis.