Comparison of the effects of therapeutic ultrasound v/smyofascial release technique in treatment of plantar fasciitis

Plantar fascia acts as a truss, maintaining the medial longitudinal arch of foot & assists during gait cycle, facilitates shock absorption during weight bearing activities. Plantar fasciitis (PF) is most common cause of inferior heel pain. Therapeutic ultrasound (U.S) is the most common treatments used in management of soft tissue lesions. Myofascial release (MFR) is a non invasive & safe technique with virtually no side effects; it comes with a record of good results.

To compare effects of U.S v/s MFR technique in treatment of PF.

A Prospective experimental study was undertaken to compare effects of U.S v/s MFR in treatment of PF.

60 subjects were alternately allocated into two groups U.S (Group A-30 subjects) & MFR technique (Group B-30 subjects). Conventional exercises were common. Outcome measures were recorded on first & tenth day using Visual analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity & Foot Function Index (FFI) for functional outcome.

For intergroup comparison of sex distribution, Chi-Square test was used. For intragroup comparison of VAS & FFI, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used & for intergroup comparisons of VAS & FFI, Mann-Whitney U test was used.

60 Subjects were divided into two groups & their age & sex were matched which was found non significant p=0.1405. VAS on first day was non significant for both groups with p=0.981 were as on tenth day both groups showed statistically significant difference in reduction of pain on VAS p=0.023 but intergroup analysis showed that group B is statistically more significant. Same for FFI p=0.272 on first day were as on tenth day both groups showed statistically significant difference in improvement of functional outcome on FFI p=0.023 but intergroup analysis showed group B is statistically more significant.

U.S & MFR technique were found to be effective but MFR technique was more effective than U.S.