Continuous ultrasound for chronic plantar fasciitis treatment

Abstract

In this study, the efficiency of continuous high-power ultrasound was assessed for plantar fasciitis treatment. Twenty two individuals were assessed, reporting pain lasting more than six months, through a functional questionnaire and visual scale for pain at the first morning load. Twenty seven feet were distributed into two groups: group 1 (stretching + ultrasound turned off) and group 2 (stretching + 2 w/cm2 ultrasound). After 15 treatment sessions, an analysis of the absolute values and improvement percentages for collected variables was performed. A functional improvement was seen for both groups, with no difference between them. The analysis of the absolute values for pain intensity (at first, eighth, and last session) showed similarity between groups. The improvement percentage for 15 sessions did not present differences between both groups. That percentage was also calculated for two periods (before and after the eighth session). It was noted that the improvement percentage on all 15 sessions for group 2 (46.5%) was inferior to the percentage of the first eighth sessions for group 1 (54.6%). Thus, the high-power continuous ultrasound did not add value for function and pain; additionally, only specific stretching exercises were efficient in reducing more than 50% of the pain in chronic plantar fasciitis.