Comparison of radial shockwaves and conventional physiotherapy for treating plantar fasciitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare radial shockwave treatment and conventional physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of 16 patients who underwent 10 physiotherapy sessions each, consisting of ultrasound, kinesiotherapy and instruction for stretching exercises at home. Group 2 was composed of 16 patients who underwent three applications of radial shockwaves (once a week) and received instruction for stretching exercises at home. Pain and ability to function were evaluated before treatment, immediately afterwards, and three months later. The mean age of the patients was 47.3 +/- 10.3 years (range 25-68); 81% were female, 87% were overweight, 56% had bilateral impairment, and 75% used analgesics regularly.


RESULTS
Both treatments were effective for pain reduction and for improving the functional abilities of patients with plantar fasciitis. The effect of the shockwaves was apparent sooner than physiotherapy after the onset of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Shockwave treatment was no more effective than conventional physiotherapy treatment when evaluated three months after the end of treatment.
Greve
Júlia Maria D'Andréa
JM
Laboratório de Estudos do Movimento - LIM 41 - Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil. jgreve@usp.br
Grecco
Marcus Vinicius
MV
Santos-Silva
Paulo Roberto
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D000700:Analgesics