Investigation of The Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients Diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis: Comparison of Radial and Focus Applications.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of radial and focus (extracorporeal shock wave therapy) ESWT treatment on pain, function and size of the calcaneal spur in patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. A total of 112 patients aged between 18 and 95 years, were divided into 2 groups; group 1, rESWT (2.4 bar 12 hz 2000 beats), group 2 received fESWT (0.14 bar 14 hz 1000 beats) 3 times a week for 3 weeks. All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-pain and Foot Function Index before and after the treatment, at 4 week and 12 weeks. Calcaneal spur size was measured radiographically in the patients before and after the treatment at the 12th week follow-up. According to our records, VAS scores were found to be similar between the groups before treatment and at follow-ups (all p > .05). In both groups, a significant decrease in VAS scores was found in the follow-ups compared to before treatment (p < .001). FFI total, pain, activity and disability scores were found to be similar between the groups before treatment and at follow-up (all p > .05). In both groups, a significant decrease in Foot Function Index scores was found in the follow-ups compared to before treatment (p < .001). Both of rESWT and fESWT were effective in plantar fasciitis treatment there were no significant difference between 2 modalities in long term.