Background: The majority of people who experience pain in the plantar surface of their heel have plantar fasciitis (PF). Patients who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis have access to a variety of additional treatment options, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, ultrasound (US) therapy, low-level laser therapy, and surgical plantar fasciotomy.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic US in comparison with laser therapy in plantar fasciitis treatment.
Methods: This prospective randomized clinical study included 56 patients diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment they received. Group (1) had 28 patients who were treated by laser therapy (scanning method), with 808 nm wavelength. The area is irradiated in 3 points over 3 cm2 three times weekly for 2 weeks and group (2) had 28 patients who were treated by ultrasound therapy at a frequency of 3 MHZ in a pulsed mode (1;4) for eight minutes (min) at an intensity of 0.5W/cm2 three times weekly for 4 weeks. Hamstrings and calf muscles were stretched.
Results: The Mayo score, the foot and ankle ability and the foot function index pain subscale (FFI-P) thad significantly improved in both groups four and eight weeks after treatment in comparison with the baseline and at 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks. The improvement was significantly higher in the laser therapy at 8 weeks after treatment. The plantar fascia thickness (PFT) decreased significantly in both groups 4 and 8 weeks after treatment compared to the baseline and at 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks.
Conclusion: When it comes to the treatment of PF, it has been demonstrated that laser therapy, specifically the scanning method, when combined with stretching exercises, is more effective than traditional ultrasound.