title: Shockwave therapy for patients with plantar fasciitis: a one-year follow-up study.
abstract: The effect of shockwave therapy was investigated in 79 patients (85 heels) with plantar fasciitis with one-year follow-up. There were 59 women and 20 men with an average age of 47 (range, 15-75) years. Each patient was treated with 1000 impulses of shockwave at 14 kV to the affected heel. A 100-point scoring system was used for evaluation including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function. The intensity of pain was based on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The overall results were 75.3% complaint-free, 18.8% significantly better, 5.9% slightly better and none unchanged or worse. The effect of shockwave therapy seemed cumulative and was time-dependent. The recurrence rate was 5%. There were no device-related problems, systemic or local complications. Shockwave therapy is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. w281211@adm.cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Ching-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Han-Shiang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ting-Wen
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000473:pathology; D059408:Pain Management; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome