An Evaluation of the Efficacy of ESWT and Placebo-ESWT Treatment for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness on heel pain and daily activities of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and placebo- ESWT in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. A total of 42 patients diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis ongoing for at least 6 months were randomly separated into 2 groups. Group 1 (study group, n=21) were administered a total of 5 sessions of ESWT treatment at once a day for days with an EMS (Electro Medical System) Swiss DolorClast Master ESWT device at frequency 10-15 Hz, 2-3 bar pressure with 2000 shocks per session. Group 2 (control group, n=21) were administered placebo-ESWT. The pain levels were evaluated with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the heel pain together with range of movement and activities with Roles-Maudsley (RM) scoring. Comparisons were made of the values pre-treatment and at 1 week and 5 weeks post-treatment. In the VAS values of the study group, a decrease was determined of 43.39% in post-treatment week 1 and of 70.37% in week 5 compared to pre-treatment values. The RM pain score reduced by 28.4% in week 1 and by 56.79% in week 5. In the control group, the VAS scores reduced by 17.13% and 16.03% and the RM scores by 8.86% and 11.4% respectively at weeks 1 and 5 post-treatment. The reductions in the treatment and control groups were found to be statistically significant and when the changes were compared between the two groups, the differences were found to be statistically significant. The treatment group was determined to have made statistically significantly more improvement than the control group. ESWT was seen to be a safe and effective treatment choice with short-term efficacy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.