Introduction: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Those patients report sharp pain inside the heel and along the medial border of the plantar fascia to its growth on the heel. It is strongest after prolonged inactivity and usually reduced with increased activity, but worsens again towards the end of the day. Generally, the condition is resolved in 3 – 18 months with conservative treatment in a combination of various physiotherapy modalities, such as cryomassage, stretching and strengthening exercises, manual therapy procedures, iontophoresis, ultrasound, kinesio taping, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, shoe insoles, night splints and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Purpose: The purpose of this undergraduate thesis was to determine, whether manual therapy procedures are effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, based on a review of the literature. Methods: A descriptive method based on a review of the literature was used. Literature search was carried out in the PubMed and Google Scholar online databases. Included studies were randomized controlled trials and comparative studies in English language and published in the time frame between 2011 and 2019. The analysed studies examined manual therapeutic procedures as interventions for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Results: There were eight studies included in the review. Results of most studies has shown that manual therapy procedures are generally statistically significant (P = < 0.05) effective in improving function in daily activities, reducing pain, raising the pressure pain threshold, range of motion, as well as improving quality of life. Some studies also suggest a long-term effect of manual procedures. There is consistent evidence as to the efficacy of soft tissue techniques whereas an inconsistency exists as to the efficacy of joint mobilization and manipulation. Discussion and conclusion: According to our findings, we can conclude that the inclusion of manual procedures in the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis, effectively relieves and affects their symptoms. In the future, it would be useful to investigate the effectiveness of individual manual techniques in comparison with other physiotherapeutic procedures and only then their combinations, to determine the optimal appropriate manual procedures in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. More studies of higher quality are needed, that would also analyse the long-term benefits.
|