Toe walking for heel pain

NewsBot · Oct 24, 2021

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
Effect of a Toe-Walking Protocol in Plantar Heel
Pain: A Proof of Concept
Dean Huffer et al
Research Sqare

Background: Plantar heel pain (PHP) is one of most common disorders of the foot treated in primary
care. It affects athletic and sedentary populations, with patient reports of activity-limiting pain and
reduced quality of life. Recently, atrophy of the forefoot plantar intrinsic musculature was identified in
patients with PHP. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess whether loading the plantar fascia
strengthens the intrinsic foot musculature (IFM) and decreases symptoms in subjects with PHP
Methods: A within-subjects experimental design assessed foot function, foot pain, disability, and activity
limitation in 12 subjects with PHP prior to and at the end of a six-week toe-walking program. The primary
outcome measure was the Foot Function Index (FFI). IFM strength (both hallux flexion and lesser toe
flexion) was measured as a secondary outcome.
Results: After six weeks of treatment, the mean (SD) FFI score significantly decreased from 73.2 (32.4) to
43.3 (22.8) points (p = 0.010, ES=1.1). HHD measures: Both great toe flexion and lesser toes flexion
strength measures demonstrated significant force increases from 21.8N to 29.6N (+7.8N) 95%CI [1.3,
14.4] (p=0.024, ES=1.0) and from 21.4N to 28.4N (+6.6N) 95%CI [1.8, 11.4] (p=0.010, ES=0.9),
respectively.
Conclusion: Results suggest that toe-walking may reduce PHP symptoms and increase IFM
strength. There was no identified correlation between the IFM and FFI changes. Symptom reduction may
be due to a reduction in cortical inhibition rather than IFM strength changes. Findings provide foundation
for future larger and more controlled studies, to further validate the effectiveness of toe-walking in
reducing symptoms of PHP patients
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Oct 24, 2021

Related Threads:
Other threads on heel pain

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

The human foot and heel-sole-toe walking strategy: a mechanism enabling an inverted pendular gait wi

Toe Separator in Standing and Walking Balance in Individuals with Bilateral Hallux Valgus

Effects of toe length, foot arch length and toe joint axis on walking biomechanics

Pain and curling under of my toes when walking

The effect of persistent toe walking on the skeletal development of the pediatric foot

Sharp pain in toes when walking

Big Toe Pain when bending it up (walking, running) but no pain bending it down.

Share This Page