How effective are orthoses for treatment of plantar fasciitis?
Aim
To explore and discuss the effect of orthotics have on plantar fasciitis.
Literature Review
This literature review of journal articles discussing the effects of orthotics have on plantar fasciitis, in regard to function ability and injury prevention. Steven, K, et al (2008) explain that plantar fasciitis can be characterised as pain and tenderness on the medial aspect of the foot around the calcaneus area.
Background
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common complaints on the foot region. Foot orthoses help to maintain the foot in a neutral position during weight bearing and gait. Pain caused by plantar heel pain can be reduced with foot orthoses. Foot orthoses are the most common treatment, though foot orthoses are for short term treatment only (Karl, B, et al, 2006).
Bergmann, JN (1990) discussed that excess pronation could be one of the causes of plantar fasciitis. One of the prevention methods described was orthotics to treat the cause of plantar fasciitis.
Karl, B, et al (2004) also discussed a study to determine the effectiveness of different types of foot orthoses with regard to treatment of plantar fasciitis, the results were significant though still lacks scientific evidence to fully perform results.
Kevin, A, et al (2008) explained that there are two types of orthotics that are prescribed, accommodative orthoses and functional orthoses. Accommodative orthoses are flexible, soft, and are used to relieve pressure. Advantages are they are soft and easy to fit, whereas the disadvantages are that is relatively bulky and poor durability.
Functional orthoses can be made of flexible, semi-rigid, rigid plastic or graphite materials, they are used to correct abnormal deformities, and they also correct the function of the foot along with relieving the pressure area. The advantages are durability and fit into most footwear due to orthotics being thin. The disadvantages are they are
References: Babbie, E. (2008). The basics of social research (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Bergmann, J.N. (1990). History and mechanical control of heel spur pain. Retrieved August 15, 2008, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2189536. DePoy, E. & Gitlin, L. (2005). Introduction to research: Understanding and applying Multiple strategies Giddings, L. S. (1997). In/Visibility in nursing: Stories from the margins. Ann Arbor, Michigan: UMI Dissertation Services; Bell & Howell Company Gross, M. T., Byers, J.M., Krafft, J. L., Lackey, E. J., Melton, K. M. (2002). The Impact Of custom semi rigid foot orthotics of pain and disability for individuals with Plantar fasciitis. Retrieved August 15, 2008, from http://www.heel-pain.org/treatment-of-plantar-fasciitis.php. Karl, B. L., Keenan, A., Herbert, R. D. (2004). Effectiveness of different types of foot Orthoses for the treatment of plantar fasciitis Podiatric Medical Association. Retrieved August 15, 2008, from http://www.japmaonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/94/6/542?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=heel+pain+and+orthoses&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT. Rome, K., Gray, J., Stewart, F., Hannant, S. C. (2004). Evaluating the clinical effectiveness And cost effectiveness of foot orthoses in the treatment of plantar heel pain. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Retrieved August 15, 2008, from Steven, K., Neufeld, S. K., Cerrato, R.M.D. (2008). Plantar Fasciitis: Evaluation and Treatment Retrieved August 15, 2008, from http://www.jaaos.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/6/338.