Comparison of mean pain score of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and locally injectable steroid for the treatment of plantar fasciitis

To compare the efficacy of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with locally injectable steroids in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. This comparative study was conducted from 10 May 2013 to 10 December 2013 at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Punjab Medical College/Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and comprised patients of either gender aged 26-60 years having unilateral plantar fasciitis who were not on any prior treatment and had moderate to severe pain intensity. The patients who received diclofenac sodium 50mg and acetaminophen 500mg twice a day for 4 weeks were assigned as Group-A, and those who received a single of 40mg (1ml) of methylprednisolone combined with 2ml of 0.5% bupivacaine into the tender most point of the inflamed plantar fascia were assigned as group - B. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale at baseline and after 2 months of regular follow-up. Data was analysed using SPSS 10. Of the 140 patients, there were 70(50%) in each of the two groups. There were 102(72.9%) males and 38(27.1%) females, with an overall mean age of 42.24±9.30 years. While pain intensity decreased in both the groups, it was significant in group B (p=0.0001), but non-significant in group A (p=0.723). Locally injectable steroid was found to be a better modality for the management of plantar fasciitis in reducing mean pain score and sustained pain relief compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.