Plantar fasciopathy and orthotripsy: the effect of prior cortisone injection.
BACKGROUND
Corticoid steroid injection into the heel is a popular treatment method for painful heel syndromes. However, the positive results usually are short term. Extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESW) has been shown to have a more permanent effect. We evaluated 555 patients who received ESW using the device Ossa Tron Orthotripsy (Health Tronics, Surgical Services, Marietta, GA) relative to antecedent cortisone heel injection.


METHODS
Before ESW, 312 patients (56%) received one or more cortisone injections into the heel, and 243 patients (44%) had never received a cortisone injection.


RESULTS
Two hundred and thirty-four patients (75%) who had antecedent injection or injections had positive outcomes after ESW. One hundred sixty-eight patients (69%) without prior heel injection had positive responses after ESW.


CONCLUSIONS
The prior injection of cortisone did not affect the likelihood of a positive response to ESW. Similarly, the absence of prior injection of cortisone did not affect the outcome.
Ogden
John
J
Skeletal Educational Association, 3435 Habsersham Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA. orthozap@aol.com
Alvarez
Richard G
RG
Cross
G Lee
GL
Jaakkola
Juha L
JL
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005205:Fascia / Q000293:injuries; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006365:Heel; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D011817:Rabbits; D012421:Rupture
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003348:Cortisone