Plantar heel pain, also known as plantar fasciitis, causes soreness or tenderness of the sole of the foot under the heel, which sometimes extends into the medial arch. Pain associated with the condition may cause substantial disability and poor health-related quality of life. Achilles tendinitis is a common etiology of posterior heel pain that results in significant pain and loss of function. Calf exercise is initial management that may be supported by laser therapy. A treatment possibility high-intensity laser therapy is little explored. High-intensity lasers can deliver more energy deeper into tissue. The hypothesis is that both lasers are effective in treatment of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy, but high-intensity laser therapy is more effective.~The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the changes of heel pain, functional health and well-being after high-intensity and low-level laser therapy for plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy.~The study was approved by Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics of Kaunas Region (2016-07-14 No. BE-2-32). Patients are recruited in out patient clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department in The Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) Kauno klinikos.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the changes of heel pain, functional health and well-being after high-intensity and low-level laser therapy for plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy