Study: NCT01297686

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Karaoke Exercise
Description: lateral side step movement involving crossing one foot over the next for 5 sets of 15 cross-overs in each direction

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Balance walking exercise
Description: Walking along a straight line on the ground, for 5 sets of 30 strides

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Forefoot extension exercise
Description: The subject stands feet shoulder width apart with one foot ahead of the other and then contracting only calf muscles of the back leg, lifts the heel of the back leg until the metatarsophalangeal joint of that foot is maximally extended. The subject is instructed to concentrate on maintaining balance on the back leg over the first and second metatarsophalangeal joints throughout movement for 5 sets of 15 repetitions.

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Standing one-legged balance exercise:
Description: This exercise is performed initially with eyes open, then with mastery exhibited by being able to hold balance and not touch the ground with contralateral leg performed with eyes closed, then on an unstable surface with and without eyes open for 1 minute.

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Ankle inversion/eversion exercise
Description: The foot is placed sideways at the edge of a step. After stabilizing the remainder of the foot and leg, the ankle is inverted and everted to the limits of the range for 3 sets of 15 repetitions.

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Gastrocnemius and soleus stretching
Description: This stretch is performed while standing in a neutral position and the knee extended the foot is placed on top of a ramp or phone-book elevating the forefoot on the rearfoot (talocrural dorsiflexion) and held for 3 sets of 30 seconds each. Next the foot is again placed on top of a phone-book with the knee flexed approximately 15-20 degrees and held for 3 sets of 30 seconds each.

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: Gastrocnemius and soleus stretching
Description: This stretch is performed while standing in a neutral position and the knee extended the foot is placed on top of a ramp or phone-book elevating the forefoot on the rearfoot (talocrural dorsiflexion) and held for 3 sets of 30 seconds each. Next the foot is again placed on top of a phone-book with the knee flexed approximately 15-20 degrees and held for 3 sets of 30 seconds each.

Intervention type: OTHER
Group type: EXPERIMENTAL
Intervention: Tissue-specific plantar fascia self massage
Description: This deep massage is performed in a sitting position the right foot is crossed over the left while one hand passively extends the right forefoot. The left hand then applies light to moderate pressure in 3-5 second intervals along the length of the medial longitudinal arch. Same procedure is then repeated for the left foot.

Intervention type: DRUG
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: Dexamethasone
Description: A 22-gauge, 1.5 needle and 3 cm syringe filled with 1ml of dexamethasone mixed with 0.5ml of 1% lidocaine. Prior to injection, the skin will be sterilized with povidone-iodine. The needle is inserted 2-3 cm anteromedial to the focal point of pain in the inferior heel near the calcaneal tuberosity and moved toward the tenderest area.