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

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.