Additive Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial

Background Plantar fasciitis is the chief cause of pain in the plantar surface of the heel. Therapeutic ultrasound is one of the most common conservative treatment modalities used by physical therapists worldwide, despite scarce evidence of its efficacy in treating plantar fasciitis. Objective To evaluate the additive effect of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of plantar fasciitis in terms of pain, function, and quality of life. Methods In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 54 patients with plantar fasciitis, aged 24 to 80 years, who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an active intervention and a control group. Individuals in the active intervention group were treated with self-performed stretching of the plantar fascia and calf muscles and with therapeutic ultrasound. Individuals in the control group were treated with the same stretching exercises and sham ultrasound. Both groups received 8 treatments, twice weekly. Outcome measures included a numeric pain-rating scale, the computerized adaptive test for the foot and ankle, and an algometric test. Results Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in all outcome measures (P