Effect of Self Myofascial Release Using Foam Roller Versus Tennis Ball in Subjects with Plantar Fasciitis:A Comparative Study

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive micro trauma overloaded injury of the attachment of plantar fascia at the inferior aspect of the calcaneum. It results into inflammation and thickening of the fascia causing heel pain. Myofascial release (MFR)is a manual therapy technique which can be used to release the tension developed in the thickened fascia. Self-Myofascial Release (SMFR) can be given with a variety of tools such as foam rollers and tennis ball. They are easy, harmless and cost effective method of giving SMFR. However, the efficacy of the technique in plantar fasciitis is not yet clear.

Objective: To compare the effect of SMFR technique using foam roller and tennis ball in subjects with plantar fasciitis.

Method: Thirty-twoeligible patients were recruited for the study. They were allocated into either group A (n = 16) and group B (n=16). Group A was given SMFR with Foam roller and group B was given SMFR with tennis ball. The intervention was given for 2 weeks (5 days/week). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) outcome measures were taken both at baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.

Results: Both group A and group B showed significant improvement in VAS and FADI after two weeks of interventions (p value <0.05). However between groups comparison were statistically insignificant (p value>0.05) for both the outcome measures.

Conclusion: This study concludes that SMFR with both foam roller and tennis ball showed improvement in pain and muscle function i.e. both interventions were equally effective. Neither of the method was found superior than the other.