Jibi Paul¹, Arun Kumar. M², Sony George³, Jeslin Jeba Sheela⁴

Authors:

²BPT Graduate, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. MGR. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

³Chief Physiotherapist, Department of Physiotherapy, PNNM Hospital, Anchalummood, Kollam, Kerala, India

⁴HOD, Department of Physiotherapy, Scudder College of Allied Health Sciences and Scudder Memorial Hospital, Kelley’s Road, Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, Memorial Hospital, Kelley’s Road, Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India

Corresponding Author:

¹Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. MGR. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,Mail Id: physiojibi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background of the study: Plantar fasciitis is a disorder of connective tissue which support the arch of foot. It results in heel pain and bottom of the foot is usually most severe with first step of the day. Pain is exaggerated by bending the foot and toes upward the skin.  The aim of the study was to compare the effect of shockwave therapy and laser therapy in plantar fasciitis patients along with stretching exercises.

Methodology: It is a Comparative study with Pre and Post type. This study conducted at ACS Medical College and Hospital, Physiotherapy OPD, Velappanchavadi, Chennai. Male and female patients of 30 samples of Age group between 20-60 with plantar fasciitis were selected for this study. They were divided in to Group A with 15 samples and Group B with 15 samples. They were given treatment of Shockwave therapy along with stretching exercises (Group A), Laser therapy along with stretching exercises (Group B) for 3days per week for 4weeks. The patients were with Stabbing pain in bottom of foot, severe pain in bottom of the foot in morning and Limited up motion of ankle.  Pain and Function assessed with Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Foot function Index (FFI).

Result: The study concluded that Group A is more effective than Group B with mean difference of 4.137 and 39.20 respectively in VAS and FFI. 

Conclusion: The study showed beneficial results in both groups, the results reflected that the shockwave therapy along with stretching exercises had better improvement on reducing pain and improving the foot function among the plantar fasciitis patients.

Keywords: Plantar fasciitis; Stretching exercise; Shockwave therapy; Laser therapy; Foot function index; Visual analogue scale.