The Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients with Plantar Faciitis

The Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients with Plantar Faciitis
Tuğçe Köse (1), Ummuhan Baş Aslan (2)

Institution:
(1) Denizli State Hospital, (2) Pamukkale University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Denizli, Turkey

Device and producing company:
EMS Swiss Dolor Clast Master

Introduction:
Focused extracorporeal shock waves (ESWT) has been used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ESWT application combined with exercise treatment is more effective than ESWT treatment alone in chronic plantar fasciitis patients or not.

Methods:
Forthy chronic plantar fasciitis patients were participated in this retrospective study. Patients were into two groups for treatment by ESWT: group 1(n=20), patients received ESWT application, and group 2(n=20), patients received ESWT application combined with combined exercise. Each group had three session of ESWT at 1-week intervals. Patients in group 2 also received plantar stretching and foot muscle strenghtening exercise. Morning pain, activity pain and resting pain were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6 week follow up period.

Results:
In both groups, pain reduction was found at post-teratment and 6 weeks follow up period (p>0.05). On the other hand, no significant differences were noted between the groups.

Discussion:
We hypothesed that additional exercise treatment to ESWT is increase the effectiveness of ESWT treatment in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Conclusion:
Our results suggests that ESWT is effective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Additional exercise treatment to ESWT is not increase the effectiveness of therapy.