Effectiveness and tolerability of focal versus radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients affected by plantar fascia enthesopathy

Plantar fascia enthesopathy is the most common cause of heel pain. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is widely used in patients affected by this condition. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and tolerability of ESWT modalities in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. We included 42 patients receiving 1 session of focused ESWT (f-ESWT group) or radial ESWT (r-ESWT group) per week for 3 weeks. Pain assessment was performed at baseline, before each session, and 1 month after the last session using brief pain inventory (BPI) severity index, and interference index (II). Tolerability was defined in terms of patient discomfort after treatment assessed by numeric rating scale at baseline and after each session. Plantar fascia changes in ultrasonography were further investigated. A significant reduction of BPI-II (P<0.001) was reported in both groups, although no between-group differences were found. Plantar fascia thickness showed significant reduction only in the f- ESWT group (P=0.028). Patient’s tolerability was significantly better in the r-ESWT group (P<0.05). Our study confirms that ESWT is effective for reducing pain and disability in patients affected by plantar fasciitis, although r- ESWT seems to be better tolerated.

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Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Numerical Rating Scale of Pain in Patients with Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

MYOPAIN ◽

10.1080/24708593.2016.1271851 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (3-4) ◽

pp. 100-103

Author(s):

Amin Kordi Yoosefinejad ◽

Reza Ghalamghash

Keyword(s):

Shock Wave ◽

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Numerical Rating Scale ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave ◽

Numerical Rating

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Evaluation Effects of Laser Therapy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy with Clinical Parameters and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Patients with Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.1155/2020/4386361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Kezban Armagan Alpturker ◽

Ayse Beyhan Lale Cerrahoglu ◽

Ihsan Sebnem Orguc

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Shock Wave ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Laser Therapy ◽

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Plantar Fascia ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave

Objective. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is applied in the conservative treatment of inflammatory plantar fasciitis, which is also a characteristic feature of spondyloarthritis (SpA) (Gill, 1997 and Roxas, 2005). We determined and compared the effectiveness of LLLT and ESWT using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods. This study is a prospective, randomized, comparative, single-blind clinical study. Voluntarily followed 40 patients with the diagnosis of SpA and having pain at the heels at least for 6 months. Patients were divided randomly into two treatment groups. One group undertook 14 sessions of infrared Ga-Al-As LLLT, and the other group undertook 3 sessions ESWT. Feet functions of the patients were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Roles and Maudsley Scoring; VAS was evaluated for foot pain and function. In clinical assessment, disease activity was carried out by applying the BASDAI, the functional assessment was evaluated through the BASFI, and the patient quality of life was evaluated through the ASQoL; enthesitis was scored according to MASES assessment, performed before and at 1 month after treatment. The thickness of the plantar fascia was measured with MRI before and 1 month after treatment. Results. Compared with the pretherapy, progress in the feet function by AOFAS and Roles-Maudsley scoring and decrease in VAS levels were statistically significant in both groups (p<0.001). Only the VAS exercise score was superior to LLLT (p<0.05). The thickness of the plantar fascia had decreased significantly on MRI in all two groups. Conclusion. The treatment of plantar fasciitis with LLLT and ESWT was more successful in pain improvement and functional outcomes with the dose, frequency, and duration used in our study.

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Evaluation of plantar fasciitis improvement after shock wave therapy in calcaneal spur patients by musculoskeletal ultrasonography

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s43166-021-00085-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Soad Said El Molla ◽

Ahmed M. Fahmy ◽

Amr Mohamed Gamil ◽

Rehab Ali Ibrahim ◽

Mai Mohamed Kamel

Keyword(s):

Shock Wave ◽

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Plantar Fascia ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Calcaneal Spur ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave

Abstract Background Plantar fasciitis due to calcaneal spur is a common cause of heel pain and functional disability, and its management presents a huge challenge for clinicians which results sometimes in unpleasant clinical outcomes. The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as an alternative therapeutic option to surgical management after failure of conservative treatment has been addressed. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis in calcaneal spur patients using ultrasonography. Results The mean plantar fascia (PF) thickness was statistically significantly higher in the calcaneal spur patient group (5.66 ± 1.14 mm) than in the healthy control group (2.40 ± 0.35 mm), (P = 0.001). Significant PF thickness reduction, visual analog scale (VAS), and Roles and Maudsley score (RMS) improvement were observed (P < 0.001) after 4 sessions of ESWT. Conclusion PF thickness increases significantly in calcaneal spur patients and responds to treatment. ESWT decreases the thickness of the PF and improves pain and function significantly.

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