The effectiveness of laser therapy combined with concentric exercises on pain and functional ability in patients with Haglund’s deformity – utilizing PainChek AI software and AOFAS scoring

Introduction. Haglund’s deformity, characterized by inflammation of the bursa situated in the posterior aspect of the calcaneus (heel bone), poses a significant challenge in orthopedic treatment. This study examines the effectiveness of laser therapy combined with concentric exercises on pain and functional ability in patients with Haglund’s deformity, pain and discomfort in the heel caused by the bony enlargement in it. Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of concentric exercises and laser therapy in lowering pain and enhancing functionality in people with Haglund’s deformity. Materials and Methods. A study was conducted involving 40 subjects diagnosed with Haglund’s deformity, aged between 20 to 35 years and of both genders, randomly selected and divided equally into two groups: Group A (experimental) and Group B (traditional). Exclusion criteria encompassed foot fracture history, hindfoot open wounds, or non-cooperative behavior. Pre-test assessments utilizing the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale and PainChek AI software were administered to both groups. Treatment intervention for both groups involved three weeks of exercises, comprising 3 sets per session, 15 repetitions per set, and 5 days a week. Post-treatment evaluations were conducted to compare the effectiveness of the interventions using AOFAS and PainChek scores, alongside monitoring for any adverse effects or complications arising from the treatments. Results. The post-treatment mean PainChek value for Group A was 5.10, whereas it was 6.45 for Group B. Group A’s post-treatment mean AOFAS score was 79.50, whereas Group B was 61.50. It was discovered that Group A was beneficial in lowering discomfort and enhancing function in those with Haglund’s deformity. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that among individuals with Haglund’s deformity, the utilization of laser therapy alongside concentric exercises in the experimental group proved to be more effective in reducing discomfort and enhancing functionality compared to employing stretching exercises in the conventional group.