Immediate effects of a heel-pain orthosis and an augmented low-dye taping on plantar pressures and pain in subjects with plantar fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of augmented low-dye (ALD) taping and a heel-pain orthosis (HPO) on pain, peak plantar pressure (PPP), and mean plantar pressure (MPP) while walking and jogging.

DESIGN

Cross-over study design.

SETTING

University clinical laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventeen physically active or sedentary individuals with plantar fasciitis.

INTERVENTIONS

Both PPP and MPP were evaluated after 45 seconds of walking and jogging during the 3 interventions (control, ALD, HPO) under 4 areas of the foot: lateral rearfoot and forefoot, and medial rearfoot and forefoot. Pain was assessed during each intervention (at 60-second mark) using the visual analog scale (VAS).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Peak plantar pressure, MPP, and VAS.

RESULTS

The ALD produced a decrease in walking MPP (44.66 ± 14.46) under the lateral rearfoot compared with the control (57.92 ± 22.18; P = 0.024) and in jogging MPP (55.05 ± 18.27) compared with the control (67.22 ± 20.95; P = 0.002) and HPO (68.51 ± 17.57; P = 0.002). Scores of VAS decreased with the application of HPO (7.12 ± 10.08; P < 0.002 and 12.15 ± 15.61; P < 0.003) and ALD (6.24 ± 5.71; P < 0.006 and 10.09 ± 8.87; P < 0.001) while walking and jogging when compared with the control (17.32 ± 17.86 and 26.65 ± 22.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the HPO and ALD produced statistically and clinically decreased VAS scores while walking and jogging, further research is needed beyond these preliminary findings to determine long-term outcomes related to pain relief.