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Foot and Ankle International
AUGUST 2006 Number 08
Foot Orthoses for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
Ewa Roos, Ph.D., P.T.; Mikael Engström, B.Sc., C.P.O.; Bengt Söderberg, B.Sc., C.P.O.
Lund, Sweden
ABSTRACT
Background: The literature suggests mechanical interventions such as foot orthoses and night splints are effective in reducing pain from plantar fasciitis. There is, however, a lack of controlled trials. We studied the effects of foot orthoses and night splints, alone or combined, in a prospective, randomized trial with 1-year followup. Methods: Forty-three patients (34 women and nine men with a mean age of 46 years) with plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive foot orthoses (n = 13), foot orthoses and night splints (n = 15), or night splints alone (n = 15). Data were available for 34 (79%) patients after treatment (12 weeks), and for 38 (88%) at 1-year followup. Pain, functional limitations, and quality of life were evaluated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. Results: All groups improved significantly in all outcomes evaluated across all times (p < 0.04). At 12 weeks, pain reduction of 30% to 50% compared to baseline were seen (p < 0.03). At 52 weeks, pain reduction of 62% was seen in the two groups using foot orthoses compared to 48% in the night splint only group (p < 0.01). Better compliance and fewer side effects were reported for orthosis use. At 12 months, 19 of 23 patients reported still using foot orthoses compared to 1 of 28 still using the night splint. Conclusions: Foot orthoses and anterior night splints were effective both short-term and long-term in treating pain from plantar fasciitis. Parallel improvements in function, foot-related quality of life, and a better compliance suggest that a foot orthosis is the best choice for initial treatment plantar fasciitis.
Key Words: Foot and Ankle Outcome Score; Night Splint; Plantar Fasciitis
Corresponding Author: Ewa Roos, Ph.D., P.T. Lund University Department of Orthopaedics Lund University Hospital Lund, S-221 85 Sweden
E-mail: Ewa.Roos@med.lu.se
Here's the latest from Foot and Ankle showing foot orthoses are effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Patients showed better compliance and fewer side effects when using foot orthoses than when using night splints. This study correlates well with my 21 years of clinical experience of treating thousands of patients with plantar fasciitis.
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Sincerely,
Kevin
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Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Applied Biomechanics
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College
Foot Orthoses Effective in Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
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