Outcome of Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Using Monochrome Infrared Irradiation
Nitis Reeboonlap MD*, Neti Satitsmithpong MD*, Pinit Phisitkul MD*, Korakot Charakorn MD*
Affiliation : *Department of Orthopaedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Conservative treatment yields a good result, but
it takes long time to accomplish the goal. Physical therapy modality, i.e. Infrared ray is one of the options that maybe help for
quicker recovery.
Objective : To study the results of infrared rays for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Material and Method: 70 patients with diagnosis of plantar fasciitis at Phramongkutklao Hospital were divided in 2 groups.
First group received a conservative treatment by NSAIDS, achiles tendon stretching. The second group is like the first group,
with addition of infrared rays. The pain was measured at initial and 6 months post treatment using visual analog scale (VAS).
Results : In control group, 34 from 39 feet had lower VAS at 6 months, from 8.41 to 5.28. In the studied group, 35 from 44 feet
had lower VAS at 6 months, from 8.70 to 3.38. No patient had the worse symptoms since the using of infrared rays.
Conclusion : Application of infrared rays for the treatment of plantar fasciitis is effective. Infrared rays are safe and easy to
use.
Keywords : Plantar fasciitis, Infrared irradiation
