Home-based stretching, physical therapy for plantar fasciitis had similar outcomes
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Published results showed no notable differences in clinical outcomes between a home-based stretching protocol and physical therapy among patients with plantar fasciitis.
Christopher P. Chiodo, MD, and colleagues randomly assigned 57 patients with plantar fasciitis to undergo either formal physical therapy or home-based planta fascia stretching. Researchers analyzed and compared VAS, foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) and SF-36 scores at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Results showed patients in the home-based stretching group and patients in the physical therapy group had a 35% and 26% decrease in VAS score, respectively, at 6 months relative to baseline. Researchers found a 13% improvement in the home-based stretching group and 21.3% improvement in the physical therapy group with regard to FAAM activities of daily living scores at 6 months relative to baseline. Patients in both groups experienced improvements in the SF-36 physical component summary scores at all time points, according to results. Researchers reported no notable intergroup differences in VAS, FAAM or SF-36 scores at any time point.
“Targeted stretching has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of plantar fasciitis,” Chiodo told Healio. “Our research demonstrates that a committed patient can self-treat at home to facilitate the healing process. In turn, this may decrease costs and increase satisfaction.”
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