Effectiveness of Subtalar Joint Mobilization in Plantar Heel Pain

Heel pain is a very common foot problem. The sufferer usually feels pain either under the heel (planter fasciitis) or just behind it (Achilles tendinitis), where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. One of the reasons of heel pain may be due to Subtalar joint dysfunction that will affect the movement of calcaneus and thus potentially affect the tension in plantar fascia. There are no studies done to find the effectiveness of subtalar joint mobilization on heel pain. The aim of this study is to find out the effectiveness of subtalar joint mobilization on plantar heel pain.

14 subject both males and females were recruited in the study from KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & MRC, Belgaum. Participants were randomly allotted in 2 groups. Group A received Therapeutic Ultrasound and stretching and Group B received Subtalar joint mobilization with Therapeutic Ultrasound and stretching. The Outcome measures used are visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional ability level in terms of Foot Function Index (FFI). Readings were taken both pre and post treatment sessions, respectively.

Fourteen subjects (mean [SD] age, 37.1(11.6) years in Group A and 39.1(15.08) in group B) satisfied the eligibility criteria, agreed to participate, and were allotted into the conventional (n =7) or mobilization group (n = 7). Significant difference was found between the differences of VAS between two groups with P-value (0.038). Significant difference was found in the Post value of foot function index between two groups P-value (0.002).

Manual therapy intervention i.e. Subtalar joint mobilization with stretching and ultrasound is more effective in improving Pain(VAS) and foot function index score in subjects with plantar heel pain.