The effectiveness of shockwave therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis

The objective of the present study was to estimate the clinical effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and the treatment of plantar fasciitis (heel spur). The patients of the study and control groups (n = 47 and n = 30 respectively) were managed with the use of hydrocortisone phonophoresis and cryotherapy targeted at the heel region. For the patients of the study group, these physiotherapeutic modalities were supplemented by shock wave therapy (frequency 15 Hz and energy level 1.8-3 bars) with a total of 3,000 pulses for a session, once every 5 days. The pulses were applied to the most painful point and along the plantar aponeurosis. The marked clinical improvement in the patients’ condition was documented in 86.6% of the cases of the study group compared with 40% in the control group. The moderate improvement was observed in 26.6% of the patients while any clinical effect was absent in 33.3% of the cases.

plantar fasciitis, shock wave therapy, phonophoresis of hydrocortisone, effectiveness of the treatment