Jemds.com Original Article J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci./ eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 5/ Issue 16/ Feb. 25, 2016 Page 753 ROLE OF LOW DYE TAPING FOR SHORT TERM TREATMENT OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS Rajni Ranjan 1 , Rakesh Kumar 2 , Ramji Lal Sahu 3 , Ankur Agarwal 4 , Ajeet Singh 5 1 Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences & Research (Sharda Hospital). 2 Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences & Research (Sharda Hospital). 3 Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences & Research (Sharda Hospital). 4 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences & Research (Sharda Hospital). 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences & Research (Sharda Hospital). ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot discomfort. Different treatment modalities exist for its treatment. Low dye taping is often used in conjunction with other treatment options. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Purpose of the study was to evaluate therapeutic effect of low dye taping in plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, 56 patients were included. Low dye taping applied for one week. First step pain (Measured on VAS scale) and Foot Health Status Questionnaire domain of foot pain, foot function and general foot health were used to evaluate the patient prior to taping and after one week of low dye taping. RESULT Patient treated with low dye taping reported significant improvement in first step pain and Foot Health Questionnaires Score after one week of treatment. Five patients experienced an adverse event. CONCLUSION Low dye taping is effective in short term basis. KEYWORDS Plantar Fasciitis, Low Dye Taping, Visual Analogue Scale, Foot Health Status Questionnaire. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Ranjan R, Kumar R, Sahu RL, et al. Role of low dye taping for short term treatment of plantar fasciitis. J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci. 2016;5(16):753-754, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2016/174 INTRODUCTION Plantar fasciitis is one of the common foot problems. It has been estimated that it affects as much as 10% of general population over lifetime. (1) The disorder is considered to be multifactorial in origin and can be triggered by obesity, excessive period of weight bearing activity and decrease range of movement. (2,3) The pain is most noticeable in the morning with first few steps and it is often described as ‘first step pain.’ (4,5) Many traditional options exists for the treatment of the condition including rest, stretching, orthotic night splint, low dye taping, anti-inflammatory agent, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and surgery. (4,6,7) The purpose of our study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of low dye taping, a commonly used short term treatment for plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study was conducted in outpatient department of our hospital. Participants were included if diagnosed with plantar heel pain described as localised pain at plantar heel that was worst when first standing or walking after rest and that improved initially after standing, but worsened with increased activity. Financial or Other, Competing Interest: None. Submission 11-01-2016, Peer Review 08-02-2016, Acceptance 13-02-2016, Published 23-02-2016. Corresponding Author: Dr. Rajni Ranjan, 1A-608, AWHO Township, Gurjinder Vihar, Greater Noida-201310, Uttar Pradesh. E-mail: dr.r.ranjan04@gmail.com DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2016/174 Fifty six patient who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in our study. Inclusion Criteria 1. Age 15-60 year. 2. Symptom >2 weeks. 3. First step pain (Pain score >= 30 on VAS scale). Exclusion Criteria 1. Inflammatory bone disease. 2. Metabolic bone disease. 3. Neurological anomaly. 4. Corticosteroid injection within 3 months. 5. Patient with known tape allergy. 6. Surgery for same condition in last six months. 7. History of foot/ankle fracture. 8. Bilateral heel pain. 9. Refusal to participate in study. Outcome assessment was performed at baseline and after one week of low dye taping. Baseline variable that were taken included age, sex, daily working hours on feet, duration of symptom. Outcome measure included (i) First step pain measured on an 100mm visual analogue scale and (ii) The Foot Health Status Questionnaires, which contains four domain foot pain, foot function, foot wear and general foot health (Although, we excluded the footwear domain). RESULTS Fifty six patients were enrolled with symptom suggestive of plantar fasciitis. Patient range from 15 to 60 years; 25 patients were male (44.64%) and 31 were female (55.36%).