Holistic management of plantar fasciitis: An orthopaedic perspective

• Author Details:   
• Samira Karri ^*
• Mattam Sanjay
• Talluri V G Krishna
• Veeresh Mallikarjun Gourshetty
• Thathireddy Vinod Reddy
• Shivadutt Goud Mudhapuram
• Anjani Kumar Nandipati

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Background: Majority of patients suffering from plantar fasciitis are either chronic recalcitrant or acute severe pain which hampered their daily activities and working capability therefore leading to psychological distress. There are very few challenging studies which show cased results of holistic conservative approach to guide a treating physician. The purpose of this study is to achieve the best possible outcome by managing plantar fasciitis in a holistically conservative manner like plantar fascia massaging, strengthening, footwear, foot roller and physiotherapy. Structured protocol study is the important aspect of this article.

Materials and Methods: Randomised control study of 100 patients presented to Orthopaedic Out-patient in MNR Medical College, Sangareddy. This study was performed on male and female patients aged between 25 and 70 years.

Results: Results were found to be encouraging in following a proper protocol of holistic approach to conservative management achieving an overall success rate of about 80%. We achieved favourable results through proper patient education and by gaining patients confidence. Regular stretching, strengthening exercises and using physiotherapy modalities showed better patient outcomes in terms of pain relief and functional outcome.

Conclusion: Holistic conservative treatment has a significant role in successfully treating plantar fasciitis in both acute and chronic cases. It is to be noted that continuing exercises regularly prevents recurrence.

Keywords: Acute, Heel pain, Foot roller, Conservative management, Holistic approach.