The effect of topical wheatgrass cream on chronic plantar fasciitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a topical wheatgrass cream for improving pain and function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Eighty participants with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to a treatment group (wheatgrass cream) or a control group (placebo cream). All participants applied a cream twice daily for 6 weeks. Follow up was conducted at 6 and 12 weeks. Main outcome measures: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for daily first-step pain and the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) for overall foot function. Secondary measures of foot posture, calf muscle strength and range of ankle dorsiflexion were also assessed. Results: No significant differences were found between groups with respect to main outcomes of first-step pain or foot function at any time. Both groups improved significantly from baseline to 6 weeks, and these improvements were maintained at 12 weeks. Conclusions: The topical application of wheatgrass cream is no more effective than a placebo cream for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.