Data bases searched 2005 to 2014 | Key words used | Number of studies found | Cochrane Google scholar | Plantar fasciitis treatment | Systematic reviews | 0 | | | Randomised controlled studies ( RCTs) | 4 | | | Controlled trails | 0 | | | Case studies | 0 |

Effectiveness of calf muscle stretching for the short term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomized trial
Joel A. Radford, Karl B. Landorf, Rachelle buchbinder and Catherine Cook
Goal: Randomized sham controlled trial to determine whether calf muscle stretching is an effective short term treatment for plantar heel pain
Strengths
* Used the Foot Health Status Questionnaire which has proven good reliability * Decent sample size (n=92) * Moderate success of blinding
Weaknesses
* Some of the patients in the stretching group had to discontinue stretching due to pain (this is important to note in the patient handout) * Only demonstrated one way of stretching the calf
Conclusion: Calf muscle stretching is not recommended for plantar heel pain
Level of scientific evidence: 2
Degrees of recommendation: C/D

Cryoultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with heel spurs. A randomized controlled clinical study
C. Costantino, M.C. Vulpiani, D. Romiti, M. Vetrano, V.M. Saraceni
Goal: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of cryoultrasound therapy, in comparison to cryotherapy alone
Strengths:
* Decent sample size (n=84) * No reported side effects or complications
Weaknesses
* Presence of heel spurs was an inclusion criteria * No placebo * 10 daily treatments lasting 20 minutes each – unrealistic in practice?
Conclusion Cryoultrasound has more beneficial effects on pain after 12 months in comparison to cryotherapy alone in treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with heel spurs
Level of scientific evidence: 2
Degrees of recommendation: B

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial Evaluating the Treatment of Plantar Fascitiis with an Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) Device: A North American Confirmatory Study
P. Kudo, K. Dainty, M. Clarfield, L. Coughlin, P. Lavole, C.Lebrun
Goal: To determine whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy can safely and effectively relieve the pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis compared to placebo
Strengths:
* Placebo controlled, double-blind * Measured effect up to 12 months * Good sample size (n=105) * Few adverse effects reported * Active group showed better improvement than placebo group at a 90% confidence interval
Weaknesses:
* All subjects were given a medial calcaneal nerve block * The research received grant funding from Dornier MedTech America (they made the device used in study)
Conclusion: High energy ESWT administered with the Dornier Epos Ultra is a safe and effective treatment for patients who have failed to respond to previous conservative treatment modalities
Level of scientific evidence: 2
Degrees of recommendation: B
Effectiveness of Foot Orthoses to Treat Plantar Fascitiis: A Randomized Trial
K. Landorf, A. Keenan, R. Herbert
Goal: To evaluate the short- and long term effectiveness of foot orthoses in the treatment of plantar fascitiis
Strengths:
* Compared pre-fabricated and custom made orthoses, aswell as placebos * Decent sample size (n=136)
Weaknesses:
Conclusion: Foot orthoses produce small, short-term benefits in function and may also produce small reductions in pain for people with plantar fasciitis, but they do not have a long-term benefit compared to placebo orthoses.
Level of scientific evidence: 2
Degrees of recommendation: C

Comparison of radial shockwaves and conventional physiotherapy for treating plantar fasciitis
J. Greve, M. Grecco, P. Santon-Silva
Goal: To compare radial shockwave therapy with conventional physiotherapy
Weakness:
* Small sample (n=32)
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between conventional physiotherapy and radial shockwaves
Level of scientific evidence: 2
Degrees of recommendation: C

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