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Plantar fasciopathy treated with dynamic splinting: a randomized controlled trial
Larry Sheridan1, Angel Lopez, Andres Perez
1Musculoskeletal Services, Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Summary
Dynamic splinting significantly reduced heel pain for plantar fasciopathy patients. This low-load, prolonged stretch method should be a standard treatment for heel pain relief.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Plantar fasciopathy (plantar fasciitis) is a common cause of heel pain, affecting millions annually.
- Current treatments like exercises, injections, and orthoses lack universal effectiveness.
- A need exists for more effective therapeutic protocols for plantar fasciitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of dynamic splinting as a treatment for plantar fasciopathy.
- To compare dynamic splinting combined with standard care against standard care alone.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized study involving 60 patients (76 feet) across four US clinics.
- Patients received standard care (NSAIDs, orthoses, injections if needed).
- The experimental group additionally used dynamic splinting nightly for low-load, prolonged stretching.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the Plantar Fasciopathy Pain/Disability Scale score compared to the control group (-33 vs. -2 points, P < .0001).
- Dynamic splinting demonstrated a substantial reduction in reported pain and disability.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic splinting is an effective modality for alleviating plantar fasciopathy pain.
- This treatment should be considered for inclusion in the standard care protocols for plantar fasciitis.