NCT06917937

The Additive Effect of Exercise in Addition to Corticosteroid Injection in Plantar Fasciitis

The Additive Effect of Exercise in Addition to Corticosteroid Injection for Pain and Functional Performance in Plantar Fasciitis: A Single-Center Randomized Clinical Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Plantar fasciitis (PF) involves the degeneration of the medial calcaneal tuberosity and nearby perifascial tissues in the heel. It is the leading cause of heel pain, typically resulting from repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, causing structural damage. Key risk factors for PF include an increased body mass index in active individuals and a greater range of plantar flexion motion. Treatment options for PF vary, and there is no clear consensus on the most effective approach. Conservative treatments may include rest, stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, strengthening exercises for foot intrinsic muscles, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), orthotics, heel pads, dorsiflexion night splints, and corticosteroid injections. These treatments may be used individually or in combination. Corticosteroid injections are the most frequently used invasive treatment. However, there has been limited research examining the effects of corticosteroid injections combined with exercises targeting intrinsic foot muscle strength on functionality and walking distance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an exercise program added to corticosteroid injections on pain relief and functional performance in individuals with PF.

Conditions

• Plantar Fascitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercise Program	Our exercise program in our study; (i) foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercise (with a load of 3 kg), (ii) plantar fascia stretching with finger extension, (iii) standing gastrocnemius muscle stretching, (iv) sitting achilles tendon stretching, (v) plantar fascia and gastrocnemius stretch on the step, (vi) cold massage exercise in the arch of the foot. We stated that the group to which exercise was added should do the exercises regularly for 6 weeks, in the specified number and time.
OTHER	Corticosteroid injection	The orthopedic physician administered the corticosteroid injection as a mixture of 1 ml of arthropane (5 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide) and 4 ml of citanest. Before the application, the physician cleaned the area to be treated with 10% povidone iodine. He made a single dose injection by entering the painful point determined by palpation around the calcaneal spur and plantar fascia from the percutaneous foot-heel lateral. The patients were in the prone position with the ankle in a neutral position. After the application, he covered the area with a sterile cloth and said to remove it after 3 hours. He stated that patients could apply ice to the injected area if necessary for pain control, and advised patients to avoid all jogging and other high-impact activities on the day of injection. No additional treatments, including NSAIDs, orthoses, and night splints, were allowed during the study period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-09-16
• Primary completion: 2019-03-03
• Completion: 2019-05-05
• First posted: 2025-04-09
• Last updated: 2026-03-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)