A Novel Approach to Plantar Fasciitis in the Aging Population
University of South Florida
Summary
The goal of this study is to determine whether improving foot strength through foot exercises and minimal footwear can provide improved outcomes over the short and long term. The main research question it aims to answer is: Can the minimal footwear intervention be used to improve the health of aging adults with plantar fasciitis?? Participants will be randomized into 2 groups. One group will receive minimal shoes and foot strengthening and foot flexibility exercises. The other group will receive supportive shoes, foot orthotic device and foot flexibility exercises. Participants' step count will also be monitored. Researchers will compare pain and physical function between the minimal footwear (MF) and the foot orthotic (FO) groups at each of the follow-up sessions.
Description
Twenty five percent of older adults experience foot pain. Plantar fasciitis, a repetitive strain injury, is one of the most common causes of foot pain in this population. Ten percent of aging adults experience plantar fasciitis with 50% of the cases being disabling. Foot pain can lead to other problems such as reduced mobility, depression and prescription medication use, leading to a reduced quality of life. Foot pain has been related to foot weakness, reduced static and dynamic balance, and reduced walking speed in aging adults. The standard of care for plantar fasciitis is to brace the arch…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1 Active plantar fasciitis for a minimum of 6 months. 2. Heel/arch pain on first step in the morning, 3. Heel/arch pain with prolonged standing (\>15 min), 4. Heel/arch pain with prolonged walking (\>15 min), 5. Be able to stand and walk for 10 minutes with little or no pain (\<3/10 on a NRPS). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Having systemic disease such as diabetes, gout, arthritis, neuropathy, surgical reconstructions 2. Having a history of heel surgery or had a steroid injection for heel pain in the past 6 months. 3. Used foot orthoses less than 3 months before start date of s…
Interventions
- Deviceminimal shoes and foot strengthening and flexibility exercises
Flexible shoes that do not provide support and exercises aimed at increasing the strength of plantar intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles along with foot flexibility exercises aimed at increasing the range of motion of the foot and ankle
- DeviceSupportive Footwear, foot orthotic device and foot flexibility exercises
sturdy supportive shoes fitted with supportive foot orthotic devices and foot flexibility exercises aimed at increasing the range of motion of the foot and ankle
Location
- University of South FlroidaTampa, Florida