To Evaluate the Efficacy of 780 nm Low Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in South Western Ethiopia

By definition plantar fasciitis (PF)is an inflammation of the plantar fascia. Present study evaluates the effects of 780 nm Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)in the treatment of plantarfasciitis &establishes the status of LLLT as a cost effective modality for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

80 subjects were selected on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria andwere recruited randomly to either 780nm LLLT (experimental group) or sham irradiation (placebo control group).

Overall results showed significant difference in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI) and Dorsiflexion (DF) from 0 week to 4th week in Group A indicating that the rate of improvement in Group A was more than Group B. Hence concluding the positive contribution of therapeutic modality for pain relief, increasing functional ability and increasing dorsiflexion Range of Motion(ROM)

The present study finds that LLLT at the parameters shown is a safe, potent and cost effective conservative treatment method for the patients having plantar fasciitis.