Effectiveness of Achilles tendon stretching for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis

Abstract

BackgroundPlantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. Its characteristic features are pain and tenderness on the medial aspect of the heel. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the Achilles tendon-stretching protocol for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.Patients and methodsA total of 24 patients who had chronic proximal fasciitis for a duration of at least 6 months participated in this study. The patients received instructions for an Achilles tendon-stretching program. Pain and functional limitations were evaluated with the Foot Functional Index pain subscale and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. The patients were re-evaluated after 6 months.ResultsThe mean Foot Functional Index baseline scoring was 7.69, whereas its mean scoring at follow-up was 1.44. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale outcome measures also revealed significant improvement for 22 (91%) patients who practiced the Achilles tendon-stretching exercises regularly. Only two (9%) patients reported little improvement, as they were not compliant with the daily stretching routine.ConclusionThis study provides an effective, inexpensive, and straightforward treatment protocol for the chronic plantar fasciitis. In addition, compliance may have affected the results if the patients did not perform their exercises regularly.