Comparison of the Effect of Three Types of Treatment on Plantar Fasciitis: Ultrasonographic Follow-up

Objective: To compare effectiveness of corticosteroid injection, foot orthoses and oral anti-inflammatory medication for the management of the plantar fasciitis by sequential ultrasonographic follow-up. Method: Thirty-three patients with plantar fasciitis were assigned to one of 3 treatment groups. Twelve patients received steroid injection and ten were applied with custommade foot orthoses and eleven received 4-week course of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. All patients of each group were instructed to perform self stretching exercise of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia for the followup period. Ultrasonographic evaluation and clinical assessments were performed during 12 weeks; before treatment, every week during the first 8 weeks, and then every 2 weeks during the last 4 weeks. Results: On ultrasonographic examination, fascial thickness decreased significantly in all three groups (p