Additional Effects of Dry Needling With Conventional Physical Therapy Versus Conventional Physical Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis: a Randomized Control Trial

Launched by FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD · Nov 22, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether adding a treatment called dry needling to regular physical therapy can help improve walking and reduce pain for people suffering from plantar fasciitis, a common foot condition that causes heel pain. The study is open to individuals aged 40 to 60 who have been experiencing heel pain for more than three months and have a certain level of pain on a scale from 0 to 10. To participate, people must also meet specific criteria, such as having pain primarily in one heel and certain physical findings confirmed by a healthcare provider.

Participants in the trial can expect to receive either the standard physical therapy or the physical therapy combined with dry needling, which involves inserting thin needles into the muscles to relieve pain. Throughout the trial, researchers will carefully monitor participants' progress and pain levels. It's important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions, recent surgeries on the foot or ankle, or other specific health issues may not be eligible to join the study. This trial aims to provide more information on the best treatment options for those dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • Age 40-60 years
• • Both genders
• • Plantar heel pain for longer than 3 months
• • Pain score at least or less than 8 on the numeric pain (NPRS)
• * Clinical diagnosis of unilateral PF in accordance with the clinical practice guidelines from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association APTA:
• • Plantar medial heel pain: most noticeable with initial steps after a period of inactivity but also worse following prolonged weight bearing
• • Heel pain precipitated by a recent increase in weight bearing activity
• • Pain with palpation of the proximal insertion of the plantar fascia
• • Positive windlass test
• • Negative tarsal tunnel tests
• • Limited active and passive talocrural joint dorsiflexion range of motion
• • Abnormal foot posture index score
• • High body mass index in nonathletic individuals
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Positive ankle drawer tests
• • Pregnant womwn, mental illness, immune suppressed patients, thrombocytopenia, anti-coagulant therapy patients and post-mastectomy
• • Congenital abnormalities of foot
• • A history of surgery to the ankle, foot or lower leg
• • Other causes of heel pain (including tarsal tunnel syndrome, calcaneal fracture, ankle or foot instability, arthritis of the foot or ankle, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, gout,peripheral neuropathy )
• • Presented with 2 or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression