Comparative Study for Effectiveness of Subtalar Mobilization with and without Ultrasonic Therapy on Chronic Planter Fasciitis and Functions of Foot

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic plantar heel pain, leading to functional limitations, impaired mobility, and reduced quality of life. Conservative physiotherapy interventions, including joint mobilization and therapeutic ultrasound, are widely used; however, evidence regarding their combined effectiveness remains limited. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of subtalar mobilization combined with ultrasonic therapy versus subtalar mobilization alone in reducing pain and improving foot function among patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methodology: A six-month quasi-experimental study was conducted at THQ Hospital, Pindi Gheb, Pakistan. Fifty patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were recruited using consecutive sampling and allocated into two groups according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received subtalar mobilization combined with ultrasonic therapy, whereas Group B received subtalar mobilization alone. Both groups underwent treatment twice weekly for three weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ankle range of motion, and functional status evaluated with the Foot Function Index (FFI). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed to determine treatment effectiveness. Results: Both treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant within-group improvements in pain intensity, ankle range of motion, and foot function following the three-week intervention (p < 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed significantly greater improvements in Group A compared with Group B for pain intensity (VAS), ankle inversion range of motion, and Foot Function Index scores (p < 0.05), indicating superior clinical outcomes with the combined intervention. Conclusion: Both treatment approaches were effective in improving pain, ankle mobility, and foot function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. However, the addition of ultrasonic therapy to subtalar mobilization produced significantly greater improvements than subtalar mobilization alone, suggesting that the combined intervention may represent a more effective conservative rehabilitation strategy for managing chronic plantar fasciitis.