Effectiveness of Calf Stretching Exercises Versus Plantar Fascia Stretching Exercises in Plantar Fasciitis: An Experimental Study

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis or calcaneus pain syndrome is the inflammation of origin of plantar fascia and the nearby perifascial structures which is attached to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity Histology suggests mainly degeneration rather than inflammation but fasciitis still remains more prominent in the literature. The windlass mechanism describes the biomechanics associated with plantar fascia. Material and Method: This study included 60 patients who were divided into 2 randomized selected groups on the basis of arrival. 30(even) patients were made to do calf stretching exercises and 30(odd) did plantar fascia stretching exercises. The stretches mainly included 8 repetitions, 20 seconds each, 2 times a day and 3 times a week for a duration of 4 weeks. Data was collected and described by using independent t-test and Repeated Analysis of variance was also used. Results: Maximum number of patients who had plantar fasciitis were in the age group 41-50 (36.6%). Both the stretching exercises were assessed with VAS, FFI and AOFAS at day 0 and every follow up i.e 1^st week, 2^nd week and at the end of 4^th week which showed more improvement and better satisfactory outcome in plantar fascia stretching exercises than the calf stretching exercises. Range of motion showed more improvement with calf stretching exercises. Conclusion: This study promotes the use of the tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching protocol as the key exercise. Long-term benefits of the stretching includes a marked decrease in pain and high rate of satisfaction. This approach provides the health-care practitioner with an effective, non-invasive, inexpensive and straightforward treatment protocol.