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Plantar FascitisNCT06917937

The Effect of Adding a Home-Based Exercise Program to Corticosteroid Injection for Plantar Fasciitis

A study testing Exercise Program and Corticosteroid injection in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by Kutahya Health Sciences University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Plantar fasciitis (PF) involves the degeneration of the medial calcaneal tuberosity and nearby perifascial tissues in the heel. It is the leading cause of heel pain, typically resulting from repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, causing structural damage. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Plantar Fascitis
What is being tested?
Exercise Program and Corticosteroid injection
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
16 Sep 2018to 5 May 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Those over the age of 18
  • Those who have pain in the plantar region for 1 month and this pain is 5 or more according to VAS,
  • Those who describe pain on the first step of the morning,
  • Those with plantar fascia tenderness on palpation,
  • Patients who will be in harmony with the physician and physiotherapist in exercise and follow-up throughout the entire study period.

Who cannot join

  • Cases with fracture, entrapment neuropathy and rupture,
  • Those with neurological and systemic diseases,
  • Those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40,
  • Conditions with a local contraindication to corticosteroid,
  • Participants who have situations that may prevent their safety, execution or interpretation of the results during the continuation of the training and applied of the test protocol.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University

    Kütahya, 43000

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Adding a Home-Based Exercise Program to Corticosteroid Injection for Plantar Fasciitis on Pain and Functional Performance: A Single-Center, Randomized Clinical Study

Plantar fasciitis (PF) involves the degeneration of the medial calcaneal tuberosity and nearby perifascial tissues in the heel. It is the leading cause of heel pain, typically resulting from repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, causing structural damage. Key risk factors for PF include an increased body mass index in active individuals and a greater range of plantar flexion motion. Treatment options for PF vary, and there is no clear consensus on the most effective approach. Conservative treatments may include rest, stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, strengthening exercises for foot intrinsic muscles, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), orthotics, heel pads, dorsiflexion night splints, and corticosteroid injections. These treatments may be used individually or in combination. Corticosteroid injections are the most frequently used invasive treatment. However, there has been limited research examining the effects of corticosteroid injections combined with exercises targeting intrinsic foot muscle strength on functionality and walking distance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an exercise program added to corticosteroid injections on pain relief and functional performance in individuals with PF.

Being tested
Exercise Program, Corticosteroid injection
Keywords
Foot, Foot Disease, Plantar Fasciitis, Exercise, Steroid
Medical subject headings
Foot Diseases, Fasciitis, Plantar, Motor Activity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Exercise ProgramOther

    Our exercise program in our study; (i) foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercise (with a load of 3 kg), (ii) plantar fascia stretching with finger extension, (iii) standing gastrocnemius muscle stretching, (iv) sitting achilles tendon stretching, (v) plantar fascia and gastrocnemius stretch on the step, (vi) cold massage exercise in the arch of the foot. We stated that the group to which exercise was added should do the exercises regularly for 6 weeks, in the specified number and time.

  • Corticosteroid injectionOther

    The orthopedic physician administered the corticosteroid injection as a mixture of 1 ml of arthropane (5 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide) and 4 ml of citanest. Before the application, the physician cleaned the area to be treated with 10% povidone iodine. He made a single dose injection by entering the painful point determined by palpation around the calcaneal spur and plantar fascia from the percutaneous foot-heel lateral. The patients were in the prone position with the ankle in a neutral position.

    After the application, he covered the area with a sterile cloth and said to remove it after 3 hours. He stated that patients could apply ice to the injected area if necessary for pain control, and advised patients to avoid all jogging and other high-impact activities on the day of injection. No additional treatments, including NSAIDs, orthoses, and night splints, were allowed during the study period.

Study groups in NCT06917937
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
(Exercise program in added on to corticosteroid injection (Group I)ExperimentalOur exercise program in our study; (i) foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercise (with a load of 3 kg), (ii) plantar fascia stretching with finger extension, (iii) standing gastrocnemius muscle stretching, (iv) sitting achilles tendon stretching, (v) plantar fascia and gastrocnemius stretch on the step, (vi) cold massage exercise in the arch of the foot. We stated that the group to which exercise was added should do the exercises regularly for 6 weeks, in the specified number and time.
Receives: Other: Exercise Program; Other: Corticosteroid injection
Corticosteroid injection (Group II)Active comparatorThe orthopedic physician administered the corticosteroid injection as a mixture of 1 ml of arthropane (5 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide) and 4 ml of citanest. Before the application, the physician cleaned the area to be treated with 10% povidone iodine. He made a single dose injection by entering the painful point determined by palpation around the calcaneal spur and plantar fascia from the percutaneous foot-heel lateral. The patients were in the prone position with the ankle in a neutral position.
Receives: Other: Corticosteroid injection

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Muscle Shortness Tests

    Plantar and Dorsi Flexion Flexibility, Gastrocnemius Shortness, Hamstring Shortness, Hip Flexor Shortness, Tensor Fascia Lata Shortness shortness tests were performed.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  2. Muscle Shortness Tests

    Plantar and Dorsi Flexion Flexibility, Gastrocnemius Shortness, Hamstring Shortness, Hip Flexor Shortness, Tensor Fascia Lata Shortness shortness tests were performed.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  3. Muscle Shortness Tests

    Plantar and Dorsi Flexion Flexibility, Gastrocnemius Shortness, Hamstring Shortness, Hip Flexor Shortness, Tensor Fascia Lata Shortness shortness tests were performed.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  4. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- hindfoot)

    The AOFAS hindfoot clinical assessment system evaluates the ankle, subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints. The scoring system allocates 50 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 10 points for alignment. A higher score indicates a better condition for the patient.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  5. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- hindfoot)

    The AOFAS hindfoot clinical assessment system evaluates the ankle, subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints. The scoring system allocates 50 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 10 points for alignment. A higher score indicates a better condition for the patient.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  6. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- hindfoot)

    The AOFAS hindfoot clinical assessment system evaluates the ankle, subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints. The scoring system allocates 50 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 10 points for alignment. A higher score indicates a better condition for the patient.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  7. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Midfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- midfoot)

    This scale allocates 45 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 15 points for alignment. Higher scores indicate that the patient's condition is favorable.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  8. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Midfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- midfoot)

    This scale allocates 45 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 15 points for alignment. Higher scores indicate that the patient's condition is favorable.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  9. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Midfoot Clinical Evaluation System (AOFAS- midfoot)

    This scale allocates 45 points for function, 40 points for pain, and 15 points for alignment. Higher scores indicate that the patient's condition is favorable.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  10. Foot Function Index

    It is a 23-item questionnaire designed to assess how foot pathology affects pain, disability, and activity limitations. The FFI score was calculated based on 5 questions related to pain (with a maximum of 50 points). Each question was scored on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain. In our study, we utilized the Turkish version of the FFI questionnaire.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  11. Foot Function Index

    It is a 23-item questionnaire designed to assess how foot pathology affects pain, disability, and activity limitations. The FFI score was calculated based on 5 questions related to pain (with a maximum of 50 points). Each question was scored on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain. In our study, we utilized the Turkish version of the FFI questionnaire.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  12. Foot Function Index

    It is a 23-item questionnaire designed to assess how foot pathology affects pain, disability, and activity limitations. The FFI score was calculated based on 5 questions related to pain (with a maximum of 50 points). Each question was scored on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain. In our study, we utilized the Turkish version of the FFI questionnaire.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  13. 6-minute walk test

    The 6MWT is a simple, safe, and well-tolerated test that effectively reflects daily life activities. In our study, the 6MWT was conducted in a 30-meter long, flat, enclosed corridor. We measured the patient's heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure before the test, immediately after completion, and again 5 minutes later. Fatigue levels were evaluated using the Borg Scale, and the distance walked by the patient was recorded in meters.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  14. 6-minute walk test

    The 6MWT is a simple, safe, and well-tolerated test that effectively reflects daily life activities. In our study, the 6MWT was conducted in a 30-meter long, flat, enclosed corridor. We measured the patient's heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure before the test, immediately after completion, and again 5 minutes later. Fatigue levels were evaluated using the Borg Scale, and the distance walked by the patient was recorded in meters.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  15. 6-minute walk test

    The 6MWT is a simple, safe, and well-tolerated test that effectively reflects daily life activities. In our study, the 6MWT was conducted in a 30-meter long, flat, enclosed corridor. We measured the patient's heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure before the test, immediately after completion, and again 5 minutes later. Fatigue levels were evaluated using the Borg Scale, and the distance walked by the patient was recorded in meters.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  16. 50 meters walking test

    The test evaluates walking ability, and patients were instructed to walk at their own comfortable pace for a distance of 50 meters. The stopwatch was started with the command to begin at the starting point. Upon reaching the 50-meter mark, we stopped the stopwatch and recorded the time.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  17. 50 meters walking test

    The test evaluates walking ability, and patients were instructed to walk at their own comfortable pace for a distance of 50 meters. The stopwatch was started with the command to begin at the starting point. Upon reaching the 50-meter mark, we stopped the stopwatch and recorded the time.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  18. 50 meters walking test

    The test evaluates walking ability, and patients were instructed to walk at their own comfortable pace for a distance of 50 meters. The stopwatch was started with the command to begin at the starting point. Upon reaching the 50-meter mark, we stopped the stopwatch and recorded the time.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  19. Visual Analogue Scale

    Patients were asked to indicate their current pain level on a visual analog scale, which consisted of a 10 cm line. The distance was then measured using a ruler and recorded. A lower score indicates decreased pain.

    Measured: a day before the rehabilitation

  20. Visual Analogue Scale

    Patients were asked to indicate their current pain level on a visual analog scale, which consisted of a 10 cm line. The distance was then measured using a ruler and recorded. A lower score indicates decreased pain.

    Measured: up to 3 weeks

  21. Visual Analogue Scale

    Patients were asked to indicate their current pain level on a visual analog scale, which consisted of a 10 cm line. The distance was then measured using a ruler and recorded. A lower score indicates decreased pain.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Apr 2025
  2. Study start16 Sep 2018
  3. Primary completion3 Mar 2019
  4. Study completion5 May 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A prospective single-center study
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06917937
Sponsor's protocol ID
KSBU-PF
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
28 Mar 2025
Last updated
15 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Exercise Program and Corticosteroid injection in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by Kutahya Health Sciences University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Muscle Shortness Tests (time frame: a day before the rehabilitation). The study lists 21 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Oct 2026.

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