Clinical Trial: Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis With Dorsiflexion Night Splints and Medial Arch Supports

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Conservative Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis With Dorsiflexion Night Splints and Medial Arch Supports: a Prospective Randomized Study

Brief Summary: The overall purpose of this study is to examine the combined effect of both dorsiflexion night splints and medial arch supports and compare it to the effect of these interventions each by itself in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Detailed Summary: Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury causing inflammation at the origin of the plantar fascia and is characterized by plantar heel pain that is provoked by taking the first few steps in the morning and by prolonged standing. It is the most common clinical problem that causes inferomedial heel pain in adults. It is estimated that more than two million people receive treatment for plantar fasciitis in the United States each year. Despite its familiarity to physicians, the exact etiology of plantar fasciitis remains obscure. The variety of treatments noted in the literature attests to the uncertainty of the etiology and pathogenesis of plantar fasciitis. It has been suggested that the success of conservative care for the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis requires a combination of treatment modalities. Although many authors have stated that mechanical therapy should be considered a cornerstone of any effective treatment plan, some debate remains regarding the most effective form of mechanical treatment. The literature provides evidence to support the use of dorsiflexion night splints and medial arch supports in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. A night splint is used to address early morning pain by preventing contracture of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon overnight. An arch support, on the other hand, addresses the end of the day pain by preventing overstretch of the plantar fascia during prolonged weight bearing. Therefore, both night splints and arch supports may be necessary to treat plantar fasciitis as they complement each other by both controlling nocturnal contracture of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and reducing stresses imposed on the plantar fascia during the day, respectively. This prospective randomized study, to the best of our awareness, is the first that addresses this problem by examining the combined effect of these treatment modalities and comparing it to the effect of a night splint or arch support each by itself. We hy
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Current Primary Outcome:

  • the range of pain-free passive ankle joint dorsiflexion at baseline and 6 weeks
  • plantar heel tenderness at baseline and 6 weeks
  • plantar heel pain at baseline and 6 weeks
  • disability imposed by the heel pain/plantar fasciitis at baseline and 6 weeks


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: medial longitudinal arch height at baseline

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Pittsburgh

Dates:
Date Received: September 20, 2005
Date Started: August 2005
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 19, 2008
Last Verified: May 2008