title: Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plantar fasciitis affects nearly 1 million people annually in the United States. Traditional nonoperative management is successful in about 90% of patients, usually within 10 months. Chronic plantar fasciitis develops in about 10% of patients and is a difficult clinical problem to treat. A newly emerging technology, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has demonstrated promising results for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients were administered LLLT and completed 12 months of follow-up. Patients were treated twice a week for 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments and were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks post procedure, and 6 and 12 months post procedure. Patients completed the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) at study follow-up periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients demonstrated a mean improvement in heel pain VAS from 67.8 out of 100 at baseline to 6.9 out of 100 at the 12-month follow-up period. Total FFI score improved from a mean of 106.2 at baseline to 32.3 at 12 months post procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further studies are warranted, this study shows that LLLT is a promising treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, case series.
authors: 1 Saint Alphonsus Coughlin Foot & Ankle Clinic, Boise, ID, USA.
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Jastifer
authors: 2 UNIFESP-Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda
authors: F
authors: Catena
authors: 3 UT-Erlanger Foot and Ankle Institute, Chattanooga, TN, USA.
authors: Jesse F
authors: JF
authors: Doty
authors: 4 TCO, Kennewick, WA, USA.
authors: Faustin
authors: F
authors: Stevens
authors: 1 Saint Alphonsus Coughlin Foot & Ankle Clinic, Boise, ID, USA.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Coughlin
keywords: heel pain; laser therapy; plantar fasciitis