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Observation on the Efficacy of Improving Ankle Dorsiflexion Limitation in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

China40 participantsStarted 2024-05-20

Plain-language summary

This study aims to design a randomized controlled trial to treat plantar fasciitis by combining conventional rehabilitation with the improvement of ankle dorsiflexion function, and to explore its clinical efficacy by combining various evaluation indicators. Compared with conventional plantar fasciitis, ankle dorsiflexion function rehabilitation training focuses more on the improvement of patients\' foot and ankle function. Conventional PF rehabilitation training focuses on loosening the plantar fascia and gastrocnemius muscle, which can restore the elasticity of the plantar fascia and promote pain relief, but has limited improvement in ankle dorsiflexion function, resulting in patients\' daily life such as walking, squatting, and going upstairs. Ankle dorsiflexion function rehabilitation training is an intervention directly targeting the function of the foot and ankle joint. By restoring the ankle dorsiflexion function of patients, it helps patients correct the force line in daily life movements, reduce the probability of sports injury risk, and improve sports performance and daily life satisfaction. Conventional rehabilitation for plantar fasciitis mainly focuses on relaxing the plantar fascia, gastrocnemius muscle, and plantar flexor muscle strength and strengthening the small muscle group exercises of the plantar foot. The experimental group directly intervened and conducted rehabilitation training for the limited ankle dorsiflexion function. It mainly includes subtalar joint loosening (increasing joint activity space), plantar flexor muscle group relaxation (releasing antagonist muscle tension), ankle dorsiflexor muscle strengthening (enhancing agonist muscle strength), and integrated exercises (integrating ankle dorsiflexion function into gait training). This experiment lasted for a total of eight weeks, and patients were required to complete five home rehabilitation training sessions per week.

Who can participate

Age range

30 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Age range: 30-60 years old; disease course \> 3 months; pain cannot be relieved by conservative treatment such as rest, oral nonsteroidal drugs, and physical therapy; VAS score is less than 6 points.
. According to the clinical practice guidelines of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Heel Pain/Plantar Fasciitis: 2014 Revision \[16\], patients meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for PF, mainly including pain on the medial side of the plantar, heel pain caused by recent weight-bearing activities, pain on palpation of the proximal attachment of the plantar fascia, and positive Windlass test;
. Supine straight knee ankle dorsiflexion angle \<10°; lunge knee flexion \<40° \[50, 51\]; left and right foot dorsiflexion difference does not exceed 1°.
. BMI between 18.5-23.9 (Chinese standard)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Vicon 3D gait test

Timeframe: 40min

Plantar fascia thickness measurement

Timeframe: 20min

Ankle dorsiflexion angle measurement

Timeframe: 10min

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06542211

SponsorPeking University Third Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-02

Contact for this trial

Hongshi Huang

13910093298 huanghs@bjmu.edu.cn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Plantar Fasciitis trials