title: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.
abstract: 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.
authors: Orthopaedic University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany. dietrich.hammer@med-rz.uni.sb.de
authors: Dietrich S
authors: DS
authors: Hammer
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Rupp
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Kreutz
authors: Dietrich
authors: D
authors: Pape
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Kohn
authors: Romain
authors: R
authors: Seil
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal