Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025
Predictive Measurement for Windlass Change in Length and Selected Treatment Outcomes in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Published on: March 1, 2024
Sonographic and clinical effects of manual physical therapy for plantar fasciitis: randomized prospective controlled
Abdul Sattar Arif Khammas1,2, Rozi Mahmud3, Hasyma Abu Hassan3
1Department of Radiological Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques/Baghdad, Middle Technical University, Bab Al-Muadham, 10047, Baghdad, Iraq. abdulsattar.arrif@gmail.com.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of manual physiotherapy on clinical outcomes, morphology of plantar fascia (PF), thicknesses of calcaneal fat pad (CFP) and Kager's fat pad (KFP) with ultrasound imaging in plantar fasciitis (PFS) patients. Also, to evaluate the PF thickness, pain and foot functional outcomes among PFS phases.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 122 subjects divided into three groups: group A (40 patients with PFS) underwent manual physiotherapy, group B (42 patients with PFS) without any intervention and group C (40 healthy subjects) were matched by age, gender and BMI with each patient in group A and B. The following outcomes were evaluated at baseline and one-month of follow-ups: morphology of PF and thicknesses of CFP and KFP, pain, foot functional limitation.
Results:
PF thickness was significantly thickened in group A and B compared to group C (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in incidence of PF echogenicity and CFP thickness were found in group A and B compared to group C. Moreover, significant improvement was observed in PF thickness (P < 0.001), PF echogenicity (P < 0.001) and CFP thickness (P = 0.002) in group A at one-month after the treatment. Furthermore, pain intensity and foot functional limitation was significantly improved within group A after receiving the treatment. Significant improvement was noted in PF thickness, pain intensity and foot functional limitation among patients with acute phase.
Conclusion:
The manual physiotherapy is effective in treatment of PF thickening, hypoechogenicity, pain intensity and activity limitations, particularly in patients associated with acute PFS.
