Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronically painful proximal plantar fasciitis with a conventional conservative treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heel cup, orthoses and/or shoe modifications, local steroid injections and electrotherapy. Forty-seven patients (49 feet) with a previously unsuccessful conservative treatment of at least six months were randomized to two groups. Treatment of Group 1 (25 heels) started immediately with three sessions of ESWT (3000 shockwaves/session of 0.2 mJ/mm2) at weekly intervals. In the patients of Group 2 (24 heels) treatment was continued for 12 weeks. After this period they were treated using the protocol of Group 1. No significant difference of pain and walking time after further non-ESWT treatment (three months) was seen. Six months after ESWT pain decreased by 64% to 88% on the visual analog scale (VAS) and the comfortable walking time had increased significantly in both groups.
Hammer
Dietrich S
DS
Orthopaedic University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany. dietrich.hammer@med-rz.uni.sb.de
Rupp
Stefan
S
Kreutz
Andreas
A
Pape
Dietrich
D
Kohn
Dieter
D
Seil
Romain
R
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005096:Exostoses / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal