[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dry cupping on pain and function of patients with plantar fasciitis. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-nine subjects (age 15 to 59 years old, 20 females and 9 males), randomly assigned into the two groups (dry cupping therapy and electrical stimulation therapy groups), participated in this study. The research design was a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Treatments were provided to the subjects twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements included the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) (at rest, first in the morning, and with activities), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), as well as the pressure pain threshold. [Results]The data indicated that both dry cupping therapy and electrical stimulation therapy could reduce pain and increase function significantly in the population tested, as all the 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) did not include 0 except for the pressure pain threshold. There was no significant difference between the dry cupping therapy and electrical stimulation groups in all the outcome measurements. [Conclusion] These results support that both dry cupping therapy and electrical stimulation therapy could reduce pain and increase function in the population tested.

Peroneal nerve palsy is one of the more common entrapment neuropathies of the lower limb and can be a result of a multitude of causes. Compression stockings are commonly used for prophylaxis of deep venous thromboembolism after surgery. The entrapment on the head and the neck of the fibula caused by compression stockings is uncommon. In this article, the authors report a 46-yr-old male patient who was operated on for postauricular squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. On the third postoperative day, it was noticed that compression stockings had rolled down, and a linear impression mark was observed under its upper edge at the proximal part of the left cruris. He had left foot drop and difficulty in walking during gait assessment. The needle electromyography confirmed total axonal degeneration of the left peroneal nerve with denervation potentials. The aim of this report was to emphasize the importance of the size and length of the compression stockings and regular skin control in avoiding the risk for peroneal nerve palsy.