Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, and although stretching exercises are a standard first-line treatment, current evidence on adding proprioception or knee-strengthening exercises remains limited. This study investigates whether adding knee strengthening or proprioception exercises to a standard stretching program improves pain, function, and disability in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, and whether these interventions produce measurable changes in the biomechanical and kinesiological properties of the foot, ankle, and knee.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 65 years.
* Formal diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, characterized by sharp pain during the first steps in the morning, pain that increases with prolonged activity, localized tenderness on palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle or proximal fascia, and a positive Windlass test.
* Symptom duration of at least 3 months.
* Heel pain intensity score of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) \> 3.
* Voluntary agreement to participate, evidenced by signing the written informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of acute lower-extremity trauma.
* History of prior foot or ankle surgery.
* Corticosteroid injection to the affected heel within the preceding 6 months.
* Presence of systemic inflammatory or rheumatologic disease.
* Uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus).
* Current or past history of malignancy.
* Current pregnancy.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m².
* Any musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, ocular, or vestibular disorder that could impair balance or limit the ability to stand unsupported.
* Neurocognitive or psychiatric conditions precluding adherence to the exercise protocols or outcome assessments.
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
1
Pain Intensity (First-Step Morning, Evening, and Overall Daily Pain)