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Extracorporeal shock wave therapy had clinically relevant effect size in plantar fasciitis treatment
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Treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis with focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy without local anesthesia had a success rate between 50% and 65%, according to study findings.
Researchers randomly assigned 250 patients with plantar fasciitis to receive focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy or placebo intervention, with three session of 2,000 impulses in weekly intervals. Primary outcomes included the percentage change of heel pain on the VAS composite score and the Roles and Maudsley score at 12 weeks after the last intervention compared with baseline scores.
Hans Gollwitzer
At the 12-week follow-up, 98.4% of patients were available for an intention-to-treat analysis. VAS composite score showed a significant difference in the reduction of heel pain in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group vs. the placebo therapy group. Results also showed significantly superior Roles and Maudsley scores for the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group vs. the placebo group.
The researchers noted temporary pain and swelling during and after treatment as the only device-related adverse events observed. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Gollwitzer received personal fees from Storz Medical. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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