Feet Don’t Fail Me Anymore! Single-Centre Results Using Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Feet Inflammatory Disorders and Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis- and tendinopathy-related foot pain are common cause of functional disability. Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) has proven to be effective in the symptomatic relief of these disorders. Material and methods: Between February 2016 and December 2021, 31 patients were included in this prospective register. Seventeen patients suffered from calcaneodynia, 11 from tendonitis and 3 from osteoarthritis. 6 Gy (1 Gy/fraction) or 3 Gy (0,5 Gy/fraction) were delivered and repeated after 12 weeks if no adequate relief. Response was evaluated at the end of the planned courses, after 3 months and subsequently every 6 months using Visual Analogic Score (VAS), the Von Pannewitz Score (VPS) and daily analgesic drug needs. Results: Overall, 87% of the patients experienced pain relief. Patients with a VAS score above 5 dropped from 35.5% at the end of LDRT to 32%, 13% and 6% after 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. According to the VPS, 74% showed improvement and 26% remained stable. Lastly, 39% of patients stopped or reduced analgesic intake. Nine patients have been followed up for more than 12 months. The median pre-treatment VAS score in this group was 9 (range 7-10), whereas median VAS scores after 3, 6 and 12 months stood at 5 (range 1-7), 3 (range 0-6) and 1 (range 0-6), respectively (Fig. 2). An improvement in functionality was reported by 7 out of 9 individuals (77.7%). No acute or late complications were observed. Conclusion: LDRT appears to be useful for symptomatic treatment of inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the foot.