Effectiveness of passive stretching of the Achilles tendon with the continuous passive stretching (CPS) instrument in patients with plantar heel pain
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background : Previous studies have shown that stretching of the Achilles tendon is effective for treating patients with plantar heel pain.
Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of the continuous passive stretching (CPS) instrument in patients with plantar heel pain.
Methods : Fifteen subjects aged 40 - 60 years with a history of plantar heel pain longer than 1 month were recruited. They were instructed to use CPS instrument for 5 days per week for 4 consecutive weeks. Six variables
which included plantar heel pain at first step in the morning, average pain over the past 24 hours, pressure pain threshold, foot and ankle disability, passive ankle range of motion, and global perceived effect were taken
before and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Results : After 4 weeks of stretching, the subjects showed significant decreases in pain intensity (P < 0.001) as well as foot and ankle disability (P < 0.001) whereas there were significant increases in pressure pain threshold
(P < 0.001) and ankle passive dorsiflexion range of motion (P < 0.001).
Conclusion : Passive stretching of the Achilles tendon with the CPS instrument is effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with plantar heel pain.