Nisar-ud Din, Saima Rahman.
Determining the Mean Reduction in Pain Score After Treatment with Heel Pad in Planter Fasciitis.
J Saidu Med Col Jan ;8(2):90-3.

Background Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia localized most often at the attachment to the medial tubercle of the calcaneus, although it may extend distally along the fascia into the medial longitudinal arch The use of orthotics to treat the heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis is both common and effective. Objective:The main objective of this study is to determine the mean reduction in pain score after treatment with heel pad in plantar fasciitis. Material and Methods: It was a quasi-experimental trial conducted at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital for the period of 6 months. Sample size of 60 patients was calculated by using WHO calculator. Adults age 18 or older with clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were enrolled who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The informed consent was taken. Orthosis is made of soft molding material, was inserted in the inner sole of the shoe of affected side. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess a base line pain score in each subject in the initial visit and after 5 weeks of follow up the reduction in pain score was recorded and the difference was seen. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS 10.0. Quantitative variables like age and pain score before and after treatment are presented in the form of mean±S.D. Qualitative variables like gender is measured in the form of frequency and percentage. Mean reduction in pain score was calculated by subtracting pain score after treatment from baseline pain score. Results: The mean age of all the patients was 38.73±11.72years. There were 36(60%) females and 24(40%) male patients. The mean age of male patients was 33.83±11.26 years and the mean age of female patients was 42±10.99 years. Baseline mean pain score was observed as 10 and the mean pain score after 5 weeks of all patients was 1.67±2.75. The mean reduction in pain score was 8.33±2.75 (p-value = 0.000). Conclusion: It was concluded that a heel pad that effectively manages this pain, is quick and easy to make, and is affordable. Pain relief and comfort are achieved through customizing the fit and by using materials that are soft and mold to the foot by using a costumed designed cutout in the heel pad to offer localized pain relief.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com