The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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Surgical repair of the Achilles tendon can lead to prolonged calf atrophy and functional limitations, even with early weightbearing. The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been studied in muscle rehabilitation programs following anterior cruciate ligament repair. Accelerated recovery and pain reduction were noted. ⋯ This prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken to quantify and validate the effect and ability of NMES to minimize calf atrophy after acute or chronic repair. No statistically significant difference was found between active NMES and sham control group. There was a trend showing some maintenance of calf volume per MRI study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Impact of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Dry Needling Combination on Pain and Functionality in the Patients Diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and dry needling (DN) combination on pain and functionality in plantar fasciitis. Forty patients who were clinically diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. ⋯ There was no statistically difference between the groups in pressure pain threshold (p = .132), FFI disability (p = .081), and FFI activity limitation subscale (p = .226) scores. ESWT and DN combination therapy in plantar fasciitis was seen to be superior in the pain scores. Further studies with larger patients' groups and longer term results of this combination are needed for a better comparison.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The Effect of Corticosteroid Local Injection Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Obese Patients: A Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.
Chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) is one of the most common painful and disabling foot conditions, for which various treatments have been proposed. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of local injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared with the conventional method of local corticosteroid injection in obese patients who were resistant to other nonsurgical treatments. In this single-blind, randomized clinical trial, 32 obese patients with chronic plantar heel pain were randomly allocated to 2 groups of 16 participants each. ⋯ The groups were compared at baseline and at 24 weeks after the injection, or course of injections, was administered. Exposures, total morning pain, and foot function index were not statistically significantly different between the groups at baseline; however, at 24 weeks after the treatment, final pain and morning pain scores were statistically significantly (p < .001) better in the corticosteroid group, and the mean foot function index scores were 65.4 ± 3.2 and 58.3 ± 2.9 (p < .001) in patients treated with corticosteroid and PRP, respectively. In obese patients with plantar fasciitis, injection with corticosteroid was more effective than PRP at reducing pain and improving function.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Platelet-Rich Plasma Has Better Long-Term Results Than Corticosteroids or Placebo for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: Randomized Control Trial.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a supersaturated concentration of autologous platelets that augments the natural healing response of fascia. Previous studies have shown the superiority of PRP over corticosteroids (CS) for chronic plantar fasciitis. ⋯ In contrast to previous studies, we found no significant drop-off effect of CS in the long term, which may be owing to background natural healing process of the disease. In summary, both PRP and CS are safe and effective treatment options for chronic plantar fasciitis, showing superior results to placebo treatment. The longer-term results and less reinjection and/or surgery rate of PRP makes it more attractive as an injection treatment option versus CS injection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effectiveness of Four Different Treatment Modalities in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis During a 36-Month Follow-Up Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
No consensus has been reached about the best treatment method of plantar fasciitis and the results of the treatment methods have been inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to compare the therapeutic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, local corticosteroid injection, and prolotherapy for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis using a randomized, controlled, prospective study. We performed a randomized controlled prospective clinical study of 4 groups. ⋯ The corticosteroid injection was more effective in the first 3 months and extracorporeal shock wave therapy was an effective treatment method in the first 6 months in regard to pain. The corticosteroid injection lost its effectiveness during the follow-up period. The effect of prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma was seen within 3 to 12 months; however, at the 36-month follow-up point, no differences were found among the 4 treatments.