Gastrocnemius stretching for plantar heel pain relief

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of gastrocnemius stretching exercises on reducing plantar heel pain and improving foot mobility and function in patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a group performing these stretches or a control group receiving standard care, which includes ultrasound therapy and fascia strengthening exercises. The study will assess outcomes such as pain intensity, foot mobility, and functional ability before and after a 4-week intervention period. The hypothesis is that those performing the stretching exercises will show greater improvements compared to the control group.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Pain reproduced with palpation of the plantar fascia
2. localized and sharp but not radiating
3. worse in the initial step after and an extended period of rest
4. decreased initially after the first steps but exacerbated with increased activityat least 6 weeks
5. unresponsive conservative form of plantar fasciitis care (ie, rest, stretching, full-length silicone insole, prescription NSAIDs when taken for a period of 2 weeks)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. history of previous steroid injections
2. previous surgery of the foot, lumbar spine disc herniation or back injury
3. patients with rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, gout disease, enthesopathy, Sjogren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus)

Where it's running

• Outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Ahram Canadian University
  Al Ḩayy Ath Thāmin, Giza, Egypt Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mohamed M ElMeligie, Ph.d
• Email: mohamed.elmeligie@acu.edu.eg
• Phone: +201064442032

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.