Joint Mobilization and Stretching Exercise vs Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Study

43 patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive either a singular steroid injection or several physical therapy sessions consisting of joint mobilization and stretching exercises, for the purpose of evaluating pain and function outcomes over a one-year period. The results of this study demonstrated that both groups significantly improved from baseline at 3, 6, and 12-week time points for pain and function. Patients in the steroid injection group exhibited superior pain and function improvements when compared to the physical therapy group at 3, 6 and 12 weeks; however, this significance was not maintained when measured at the 1-year. Patients in the physical therapy group continued to demonstrate improvement over the one year period.