Background: We compared the effectiveness of stretching and strengthening exercises combined with myofascial releasing and mobilization techniques to a stretching and strengthening only home program in plantar fasciitis (PF) management. Method: The study included 53 feet of 47 patients with plantar fasciitis (35 women / 12 men; mean age 48.9±11.2 years). Pain, disability, and activity restrictions were assessed by Foot Function Index (FFI), and first step pain was graded by visual analog scale (VAS). Ankle range of motion (ROM), gastrocnemius-soleus flexibility, proprioception, dynamic balance, and foot sensation were also considered. The patients were randomly divided into outpatient clinic treatment (Outpatient, n = 27 feet) and home rehabilitation groups (Home, n = 26 feet). Patient education was routine for all at the beginning of the management programs. In the Outpatient group, the foot-ankle-hip exercise program, myofascial releasing, and joint and soft tissue mobilization techniques were “hands on” at a clinic (twice a week for 8 weeks), whereas the Home group completed their home rehabilitation program on their own (8 weeks’ duration with follow-ups every week). Results: VAS, FFI, ROM, balance, proprioception, foot sense, and flexibility improved at the eighth week in both groups according to intragroup comparison ( P < .05). When the 2 groups were compared, the results of plantar flexion range, balance, proprioception, foot sensation, flexibility, FFI, and VAS showed significant improvements in the Outpatient vs the Home group ( P < .05). Also, the FFI and VAS scores at the sixth month were superior in the Outpatient group ( P < .05). Conclusion: A combined supervised management protocol had superior clinical results in plantar fasciitis management. Level of Evidence: Level II, comparative study.

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Foot pain (FP) is widespread throughout the population, with prevalence estimates ranging from 17 to 30%, while a comprehensive study found that more than one-quarter of people over the age of 45 have regular hindfoot pain (HP). HP has been linked to limitations in daily living activities, poor balance, gait issues, and poor health-related quality of life. According to studies, at least two-thirds of people have moderate functional daily living issues. Aging, female gender, obesity, chronic medical conditions (such as osteoarthritis and diabetes), biomechanical factors (excessive external rotation of the lower extremity, increased pronation of the subtalar joint, plantar flexor weakness, Achilles tendon shortening), and anatomical changes (pes planus, pes cavus) have all been identified as risk factors for HP. People with HP have bone and soft-tissue overload, foot anatomic disorders, and a decreased range of motion (especially ankle dorsiflexion). There are several hindfoot pathologies that can lead to HP. The aim of this study is to overview the pathologies of the hindfoot that cause hindfoot pain.

Background: Although there are studies showing that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization methods are effective in chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) treatment, there is a need for studies comparing these techniques. We compared the effectiveness of ESWT versus instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization using Graston Technique (GT) instruments in addition to stretching exercises (SEs) in CPHP. Methods: Sixty-nine patients were randomly assigned to three groups: ESWT+SEs (group 1), GT+SEs (group 2), and SEs only (control group) (ratio, 1:1:1). The SEs, twice daily for 8 weeks, were standard for all. Group 1 received low-intensity ESWT; in group 2, GT was the selected method. Visual analog scales (for initial step and activity pain), the Foot Function Index (FFI), the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were used pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 8-week and 6-month follow-up. Results: Visual analog scale and FFI scores improved posttreatment and during follow-up in all groups (P < .001). Although effect sizes were greater in groups 1 and 2 than in the control group in initial step pain posttreatment and at 8-week follow-up, group 2 had the highest effect size at 6 months. Mean SF-12 scores in groups 1 and 2 improved on the posttreatment assessment. Furthermore, group 2 showed significant improvements in FFI scores compared with the other groups at 6-month follow-up (F = 6.33; P = .003). Conclusions: Although ESWT+SEs and GT+SEs seem to have similar effects on initial step pain posttreatment and at 8-week follow-up, GT+SEs was found most effective for improving functional status at 6 months in the management of CPHP.

In the study, aimed to compare three different education periods, On-Campus Education (2019), Hybrid Education (2020), and Online Education (2021), in terms of students' satisfaction within the scope of the courses offered in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program. The dataset of study collected as a retrospective study from the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department in Health Sciences Faculty of Yeditepe University, Istanbul. The spring semester students of 2019, 2020, and 2021 (respectively, n=170; n=158; n=229) participated in the study. The assessment of students’ learning outcomes was obtained from questionnaires prepared by the research team. Answers are allowed upon a 6-point Likert scale (0:Strongly Disagree - 5:Strongly Agree). According to the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test results, in the Introduction to Physiotherapy Occupation, Hydrotherapy, Manipulative Therapy-II Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology-II, Neurologic Rehabilitation, Orthosis and Prosthesis Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy in Sport courses, statistically significant difference was found (respectively, p=0.005, p=0.001 p=0.009, p=0.001, p=0.018, p=0.001, p=0.001). According to the satisfaction of the Physiotherapy students at three-grade levels, the courses with high theoretical content may be given online. Therefore, the online system can be integrated into the physiotherapy education system, but it cannot replace campus education in practical courses.