Plantar Fasciitis: Custom Insoles vs OTC, All Insole vs Tape, and Combination Therapies reviewed
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As a Podiatrist, I really can not read too many articles on plantar fasciitis since it is so prevalent in my practice, and perhaps so over diagnosed, and I am looking for the nuances. It is so common, it is hard to see initially the slight variations that I have previously discussed. This nice article discusses the difference between OTC and Custom Made Orthotics in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. I will use both, or at least my patients may come in with their own brand for me to evaluate, that has not helped them enough, but purchased in an attempt to avoid coming into the Podiatrist’s office. This one article summarizes many different articles. Here are some of the important findings from this article:
- Comparison of Custom vs OTC insoles. Both prefabricated and customized insoles caused a pain decrease in all 4 studies evaluating pain, but again, no significant differences were found between both groups. Significant differences between prefabricated and customized insoles were only found for walking distance, with the customized insole being more effective than the prefabricated insole.
- Comparison of Various insoles vs Low Dye Taping. Three studies compared low-dye taping to insoles. All observed a decrease in pain in both taping and insole groups; 2 studies found a significant difference between both interventions, with the insole being more effective in reducing pain than tape. Insoles were also found to be more effective in improving function, whereas tape led to significantly lower mean plantar pressure.
- Comparison of Taping to No Taping. Seven studies compared taping with no treatment or sham taping. Of these studies, 6 studies had pain as an outcome measure, and they all reported a significant decrease in pain in the taping group. Four studies also reported a significant pain reduction in the control group, but all favored taping over no taping or sham taping. Function did not differ significantly between taping and no taping, but taping was most effective regarding weight distribution, stability, and plantar fascia thickness.
- Best with Combining Treatments. Combining different treatment modalities such as AFOs and insoles or rocker shoes and insoles seems to enhance clinically relevant treatment effects.
All in all, 72 articles on plantar fasciitis were reviewed. Please dive deeper if you desire. The impressive reference list is a treasure trove of information. The key points to me:
- Use custom inserts for treatment and to prevent re-occurences
- Use Taping while waiting for the orthoses to be made, to help bring the pain down to 0-2, and for prolonged activities with the orthotic devices like a marathon or 5 day hiking trip
- Combine Custom Orthotic Devices and Taping with 1-3 other treatment modalities commonly used in treatment of plantar fasciitis
Here are the specifications of the KevinRoot Medical classic Plantar Fascial Orthosis called the P13.
