Chiropractic management of pediatric plantar fasciitis: a case report

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this report is to present the case of a 10-year-old football player with bilateral plantar fasciitis who improved with a multimodal conservative approach using chiropractic treatment. Clinical Features: The patient presented with bilateral plantar heel pain at the origin of the plantar fascia with a duration of 3 weeks. Intervention and Outcome: Treatment was provided for 6 visits over a 6-week period. Chiropractic care consisted of manipulative therapy, soft tissue therapy, and home rehabilitation exercises. The soft tissue technique (Graston Technique) was performed to the origin of the plantar fascia and the triceps surae bilaterally. High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation was applied to the restricted ankle mortise joint. After 6 treatments, the patient reported resolution of foot pain bilaterally and improvements in activities of daily livings. Three months later, the patient reported no further complications and the absence of pain. Conclusion: This patient with bilateral plantar fasciitis improved after a course of a multimodal treatment approach using chiropractic manipulation and soft tissue therapy in addition to exercise and stretching therapies.

Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization for the Management of Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Pilot Study

“…The authors reported that the participants demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in pain ratings and functional improvements in Global Rating of Change Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale scores. 10 More recently, Daniels and Morrell 14 reported the effectiveness of using the Graston technique to perform IASTM in addition to joint manipulation to manage a 10-year-old male athlete with bilateral plantar fasciitis. Although both case-based studies would support the use of IASTM as a plan of care component for patients with CPHP, limitations when interpreting these results include the lack of a control group and the assessment of only shortterm outcomes.…”

Manipulation in the Treatment of Plantar Digital Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study of 38 Cases

“…[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] For example, a cross-over study of 52 hockey players with ankle sprains demonstrated that ankle manipulation was associated with improved proprioception and better post-injury ankle stability. 38 There have also been a number of studies which have highlighted a benefit from manipulation in the treatment of painful hallux abductovalgus.…”

Manual Therapy Effects on Low Back Pain

“…9 GT has been shown to increase shoulder ROM in horizontal adduction and internal rotation when applied to the posterior shoulder. 12,13 It has also been used to alleviate pain and decrease soft tissue restrictions associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, 14 DeQuervain's stenosing tenosynovitis, 15 plantar fasciitis, 16 Achilles tendinopathy, 17,18 lumbar compression fracture, 19 lateral epicondylopathy 20 and trigger thumb. 21 However, there has been no published research studying the effects GT may have on the reduction of LBP in relation to unilateral anterior or posterior innominate rotations.…”

“…50 GT has also been shown to be beneficial in other soft tissue restrictions and adhesions, tendinitis, musculoskeletal ailments and ROM restrictions. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]51,52…”