Effect of Kaltenborn vs Mulligan Mobilization With Intrinsic Foot Strengthening in Plantar Fasciitis

Riphah International University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Plantar Fascitis; Heel Pain Syndrome

Treatments: Other: Mulligan Mobilization Group; Other: Kaltenborn Mobilization Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07078539

REC/RCR & AHS/24/0164 -Adeena

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will compare the effects of Kaltenborn and Mulligan ankle mobilization techniques, combined with intrinsic foot muscle strengthening, on pain, functional status, and dorsiflexion range of motion in patients with plantar fasciitis. Eighty-two participants with chronic heel pain will be randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups will receive standard care including ultrasound therapy, stretching, and cryotherapy, while Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization and Group B will receive Mulligan mobilization. Pain, function, and ankle range of motion will be assessed at baseline and after three weeks of treatment.

Full description

This prospective randomized clinical trial will aim to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two manual therapy techniques-Kaltenborn and Mulligan mobilizations-combined with intrinsic foot muscle strengthening in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The study will be conducted at two physiotherapy clinics in Sialkot, Pakistan. A total of 82 eligible participants aged 30-60 years, diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, will be enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling and then randomised into two equal groups through the lottery method.

Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints, in addition to conventional treatment (therapeutic ultrasound, plantar fascia and calf stretching, intrinsic foot muscle strengthening, and cryotherapy). Group B will receive Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) applied to the same joints, alongside the same conventional treatment.

Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for three weeks (total six sessions). The primary outcomes will include changes in pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), functional disability (Foot Function Index), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (measured using a goniometer). Measurements will be taken at baseline and at the end of the third week. It is hypothesised that Kaltenborn mobilization may demonstrate superior outcomes in pain reduction and functional improvement compared to Mulligan MWM when combined with strengthening exercises.

Enrollment: 74 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age group between 30-60.

  • Both genders (male and female) included.
  • Subjects with the ankle and heel pain complain especially morning or after rest and limited ankle ROM due to pain
  • Positive Windlass test: Pain increase upon toe standing and decreases upon walking.

Duration of pain in 4 weeks or more.

• Tenderness on medial calcaneal tuberosity.
• NPRS score of 4 or more

Exclusion criteria

• Patients contraindicated to manual therapy (tumor, fracture or osteoporosis). Any history of knee, tibia, fibula, ankle or foot surgery or stress fracture of calcaneum.

  • Previously received physiotherapy treat.
  • History of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injection in last 3 weeks prior to surgery.
  • Pregnancy (because of sudden weight changes and pedal edema which causes heel pain).
  • Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systematic lupus erythematous, peripheral neuropathy, sever's disease, severe vascular disease or tarsal tunnel.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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74 participants in 2 patient groups

Kaltenborn Mobilization Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Kaltenborn mobilization techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints. Mobilizations will be performed as Grade III passive accessory glides for 10 repetitions per joint, each sustained for 15 seconds with a 10-second rest interval

Treatment:

Other: Kaltenborn Mobilization Group

Mulligan Mobilization Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints. Mobilizations will be applied as 3 sets of 10 repetitions per joint with 1-minute rest between sets.

Treatment:

Other: Mulligan Mobilization Group