The safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in active, moderately active, and sedentary patients with chronic plantar fasciitis (SS-103)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on patients with chronic plantar fasciitis treated by the same investigator in a rural, community setting, and to determine if there was a difference in outcome between active, moderately active, and sedentary individuals. Type of Study: Retrospective case series. Methods: The efficacy and safety of ESWT was investigated in active, moderately active, and sedentary patients with chronic plantar fasciitis unresponsive to six months of traditional nonoperative treatment. All procedures were performed by one investigator in a rural community setting. Fifty-three patients (60 heels) were treated with a single session of 3800 shock waves to the affected heel. Of these 53 patients, 16 (19 heels) were active, 21 (22 heels), were moderately active, and 16 (19 heels) were sedentary. A total of 1300 mJ/mm2 of energy was administered in each session. Outcome measures included visual analog, RAND-Physical Functioning, RAND-Pain, and Roles and Maudsley scores. Results: Twelve weeks post treatment, visual analog scores improved from 9.2 to 2.4 (P < .05), RAND-Physical Functioning score improved from 40.4 to 91.5 (P < .05), and RAND-Pain score improved from 33.3 to 90 (P < .05). Using the Roles and Maudsley scale, 50 heels (83.3%) were assigned an excellent or good result. There were no significant differences in VAS, RAND-Physical Functioning, or RAND-Pain scores among the subgroups. There were no significant complications. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis nonresponsive to traditional measures, and can be performed safely in a rural, community setting. Active, moderately active, and sedentary patients appear to improve equally with this procedure.