Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Conservative Treatment

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) for treating chronic plantar fasciitis (PF). Methods: The records of 60 patients with PF were retrospectively examined in this research. Thirty patients who have been applied LLLT and given exercise program constituted a treatment group. On the other side, 30 patients who have been given exercises but not applied LLLT was selected as a control group. Along with exercise, the treatment group underwent a 10-day continuous, 12-minute, 1.6 W, 808 nm wavelength diode laser treatment using galium-aluminum-arsenide. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale and the Foot Function Index (FFI) were used to assess the patients' foot discomfort and functional condition while they were at rest, taking their first steps, and during activities. These assessments were all documented before, after, and after two months of treatment. Results: In the treatment group, all VAS, FFI, and AOFAS scores except alignment score has been significantly improved both in the first and the second months compared to the initial state (p<0.05). The improvement in these scores was higher in the treatment group than in the control group in the first and the second months both (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings confirm that LLLT is an effective and reliable therapy choice in the conservative management of PF.