Comparison of two extracorporeal shock wave therapy techniques for the treatment of painful subcalcaneal spur. A randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare two extracorporeal shock wave therapy techniques for the treatment of painful subcalcaneal spur.


METHODS
Random assignment to two groups of treatment with two and eight months follow-up.


METHODS
The data were collected in outpatients.


METHODS
Forty-five subjects with a history of at least six months of heel pain were studied.


METHODS
Each subject received a three-session ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy (performed weekly). Perpendicular technique was used in group A (n=22, mean age 59.3 +/- 12 years) and tangential technique was used in group B (n= 23, mean age 58.8 +/- 12.3 years).


METHODS
Mayo Clinical Scoring System was used to evaluate each subject before the treatment and at two and eight months follow-up.


RESULTS
Mayo Clinical Scoring System pretreatment scores were homogeneous between the groups (group A 55.2 +/-18.7; group B 53.5 +/- 20; P>0.05). In both groups there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the Mayo Clinical Scoring System score at two months (group A 83.9 +/- 13.7; group B 80 +/- 15,8) and eight months (group A 90 +/- 10.5; group B 90.2 +/-8.7) follow-up. No significant differences were obtained comparing the Mayo Clinical Scoring System scores of the two groups at two and eight months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference between the two techniques of using extracorporeal shock wave therapy. The tangential technique was found to be better tolerated as regards treatment-induced pain, allowing higher energy dosages to be used.
Tornese
Davide
D
Galeazzi Orthopedics Institute - Center for Sports Rehabilitation, Milan, Italy. davidzai@tin.it
Mattei
Enrico
E
Lucchesi
Giampaolo
G
Bandi
Marco
M
Ricci
Gabriele
G
Melegati
Gianluca
G
D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D036982:Heel Spur / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged