TREATMENT OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS BY LONTOPHORESIS OF 0.4-PERCENT DEXAMETHASONE - A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Plantar fasciitis is a common problem in running sports. This study wa s undertaken to determine whether iontophoresis of dexamethasone in co njunction with other traditional modalities provides more immediate pa in relief than traditional modalities alone. Forty affected feet were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group I feet were treated with traditional modalities and placebo iontophoresis. Group II feet recei ved the traditional modalities plus iontophoresis of dexamethasone. Bo th groups were treated six times over 2 weeks. The subjects' clinical course was assessed using the Maryland Foot Score. At the conclusion o f treatment, Group II patients had significantly greater improvement t han Group I patients (increase on Maryland Foot Score of 6.8 +/- 5.6 f or Group II and 3.1 +/- 4.1 for Group I). However, at follow-up 1 mont h after completion of treatment there was no significant difference be tween groups (increase of 5.6 +/- 8.0 for Group I and 7.4 +/- 6.3 for Group II). These results suggest that although traditional modalities alone are ultimately effective, iontophoresis in conjunction with trad itional modalities provides immediate reduction in symptoms. Based on these results, iontophoresis of dexamethasone for plantar fasciitis sh ould be considered when more immediate results are needed (i.e., perfo rmance athletes and active patients).