Efficacy of Myofascial Release Technique in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain and affects both genders. The symptoms are aggravated by weight bearing after prolonged rest. Previous studies have reported the effectiveness of myofascial release technique in combination with conventional physiotherapy exercises. The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of myofascial release technique as a singular mode of treatment in subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis.

30 subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis were included and randomly assigned into two different groups. Group-A (n=15) received 10 sessions of myofascial release (MFR) along with self-stretching. Group-B (n=15) received 10 sessions of self-stretching exercises only. Self-stretching of calf and plantar fascia on the affected side was given as supervised, as well as a home exercise program.

Pain intensity was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), tenderness was assessed by Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) by mechanical pressure algometer at the medial calcaneal tubercle of the heel and functional status was evaluated by Foot Function Index(FFI) scale. These outcome measures were recorded at the baseline, after 10 days of postintervention and after one week of post intervention (follow up).

Result of the study has shown statistically significant improvement in both the groups. However, Group-A showed statistically significant results in comparison to Group-B.

The present study has shown that myofascial release (MFR) is effective as a singular mode of treatment in reducing pain & tenderness and improving functional status in subjects with chronic plantar fasciitis.