High-power Pain Thershold Ultrasound Versus Myofascial Release in Patients With Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is The most common cause of plantar heel pain(PHP) is a degeneration of the plantar fascia as a result of repetitive micro tears of the fascia that lead to an inflammatory reaction, and is not a primary inflammatory process that most believe it to be the cause of plantar fasciitis is unknown but is believed to be multifactorial, with abnormal biomechanics. It is the most common cause of heel pain about 4% to 7% of the population suffer from it. There are many risk factors for plantar fasciitis include excessive foot pronation or flat feet (pesplanus), high arches (pescavus), tight Achilles tendon or gastrocnemius muscle (equinus), tight intrinsic foot muscles, limb length discrepancy, obesity, running, prolonged standing or walking, poor-fitting shoes, and improper gait. Many patients complain of heel pain in the morning or after rising from prolonged sitting, with relief upon initiation of movement. Physical examination will reveal pain to palpation of the medial plantar calcaneal region, pain with dorsiflexion, and tightness of the Achilles tendon or the gastrocnemius muscle ,.

Plantar heel pain is associated with impaired health-related quality of life including social isolation, a poor perception of health status and reduced functional capabilities.

The high-power pain threshold ultrasound (HPPTUS) technique is one of the therapeutic ultrasound modifications used to treat myofascial pain syndrome.

HPPTUS is considered as an effective treatment for Myofascial pain syndrome which be applied in continuous mode with intensity from 0.5 to 2 watt/cm to elicit pain threshold the US probe was kept motionless, and the intensity progressively increased until the maximum level of pain patient can endure was selected, it was maintained on this level for 3 to 4 seconds and then decreased to half intensity for 15 seconds the treatment process was repeated three times.

performed clinical study to compare (HPPTUS) technique with the traditional ultrasound technique in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. The results showed that HPPTUS was much more effective than the traditional technique, pain reduction and improvement of range of motion (ROM) were significant in a smaller number of sessions.

Myofascial release (MFR) is the application of a low load, long duration stretch to the myofascial complex, intended to restore optimal length, decrease pain, and improve function .MFR effect on (PF) by decreasing in tension over the plantar fascia and decrease of risk factors, such as tightness of the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles and restricted ankle dorsiflexion Several treatment methods are available to relieve symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis. These include stretching, manual therapy, dry needling, shockwave therapy, physical agents (electrotherapy, low-level laser therapy, phonophoresis, and ultrasound), lifestyle counseling, anti-inflammatory injections, and mechanical treatments such as taping, rocker shoes, and ankle-foot orthoses including night splints. Mechanical treatments are promising due to the low risk of complications, good accessibility, and high capacity to relieve the mechanical load on the plantar fascia during functional tasks of daily life. The effectiveness of mechanical treatment on plantar fasciitis has previously been investigated.