BACKGROUND: This study compared the effectiveness of joint mobilization combined with stretching exercises (JM and Str) versus steroid injection (SI) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF). METHODS: A total of 43 patients (mean age 45.5 +/- 8.5 years; range 30 to 60 years; 23 females) with PF were randomly assigned to receive either JM and Str (n = 22) or SIs (n = 21). JM and Str was applied 3 times per week for 3 weeks for a total of 9 visits. The SI group received 1 injection at baseline. The patients' functional scores were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), and pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Outcomes of interest were captured at baseline and at 3-week, 6-week, 12-week, and 1-year follow-ups. The primary aim was examined using a mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pairwise comparisons were performed to examine differences between the baseline and follow-up periods using Bonferroni equality at an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Age, sex, body mass index, and dorsiflexion range of motion did not significantly impact pain relief or functional outcome (p > 0.05) at the 3-, 6- or 12-week follow-ups compared to baseline. Planned pairwise comparisons demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief and functional outcomes in both groups (p < 0.05) at the 3-, 6-, and 12-week follow-ups compared to baseline. However, at the 12-week and 1-year follow-ups, pain and functional outcomes were significantly improved in only the JM and Str group (p = 0.002). The overall group-by-time interaction was statistically significant for both FAAM (p = 0.001; F = 7.0) and VAS (p = 0.001; F = 8.3) scores. Between-group differences favored the SI group at the 3-week (p = 0.001, p = 0.001), 6-week (p = 0.002, p = 0.001), and 12-week (p = 0.008, p = 0.001) follow-ups for pain relief and functional outcomes. However, no significant differences (p = 0.62, p = 0.57) were detected in the measured outcomes at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that while both groups achieved significant improvements at the 3-, 6-, and 12-week follow-ups, the SI group exhibited better outcomes at all 3 time points. The noted improvements continued in only the JM and Str group for a period of time ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, comparative study.

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