OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening of the foot alone or foot and hip on pain and function in patients with plantar fasciitis. DESIGN: Single blind randomized controlled trial. METHOD: Eighty-three patients with plantar fasciitis were allocated to one of three treatment options for an eight-week period: foot exercise group (FEG -- extrinsic and intrinsic foot muscles), foot and hip exercise group (FHEG -- abductor and lateral rotator muscles) and stretching alone exercise group (SAEG). MAIN MEASURES: A visual analog scale for pain, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and the Star Excursion Balance Test. All evaluations were performed before treatment and after the last treatment session. RESULTS: Improvements were found in all groups regarding the visual analog scale, the pain, activities of daily living, sports and recreation, quality of life (p < 0.001) and other symptoms (p < 0.01) subscales of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score as well as posterolateral movement, posteromedial movement and composite score (p < 0.001) on the Star Excursion Balance Test. No time-group interactions were found for any of the variables (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All three exercise protocols analyzed led to improvements at eight-week follow-up in pain, function and dynamic lower limb stability in patients with plantar fasciitis.

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