High-energy Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
BACKGROUND
Few reports about the success of high-energy extracorporeal shock-wave therapy in cases of plantar fasciitis exist, even fewer about long-term results. This study investigated results of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.


METHODS
Ninety ESWT were applied to 63 patients (73 heels; 25 male and 38 female; average age 54 (29 to 77) years) from November 1999 to July 2003. All patients had plantar fasciitis for more than 6 months and failure of all non-surgical treatment for more than 3 months. A Dornier Lithotripter S, equipped with an electromagnetic shock-wave emitter was used. Routinely, 1000 shock wave impulses (frequency 2 per second, energy flux density (ED) 0.35 mJ/mm² at 10.5 kV, total dose 350 mJ/mm²) were applied per treatment. Followup was carried out 6 weeks after ESWT, then a second clinic evaluation and a final followup at an average of 73 months after ESWT by telephone.


RESULTS
The success of ESWT, defined as a 30% VAS reduction, was seen in 81% at 6-week followup, at 88% at last clinic followup and in 96% at final phone followup.


CONCLUSIONS
High-energy ESWT (0.35 mJ/mm²) was successful in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and the good short-term results seemed to be maintained over time.
Metzner
Gerald
G
Paracelsus Private Medical University, Orthopedics, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, Salzburg A-5020, Austria. g.metzner@salk.at
Dohnalek
Christian
C
Aigner
Elmar
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D036982:Heel Spur / Q000628:therapy; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies