Foot Orthoses for Plantar Fasciitis?

Although plantar fasciitis usually is a self-limited condition, it is frustrating for patients and clinicians because it can interfere with activity for weeks or months, and most treatments are not helpful. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers examined the efficacy of foot orthoses, which often are recommended for treating patients with plantar fasciitis (called “plantar heel pain” in this analysis).

Reviewers identified 20 randomized trials in which foot orthoses were compared with sham orthoses, other treatments, or no treatment. Although some studies showed modest improvement with orthoses at single follow-up time points, the overall results showed no significant short- or long-term benefit for custom-made or prefabric…