Comparison of the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and trigger point dry needling in the treatment of Calcaneal Epin- A randomized trial.

Background: Dry needling (DN) and Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) are common in calcaneal epin treatment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of both treatments on proprioception, balance, pain, and functional status.

Methods: 90 patients which consist of 45 patients as DN + self stretching and 45 patients as ESWT + self stretching. Patients in each group were treated 1 session per week for 4 weeks. Assessments of 15° ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion proprioception, one leg standing test (OLST), foot function index (FFI), visual analog scale (VAS) (first step, resting, activity), quality of life scale (SF-36) were performed. The outcomes were recorded at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4 weeks after the post-treatment.

Results: Statistically significant differences were determined in VAS (resting, first step, activity) and FFI values in both treatment methods (p < 0.05). In OLST, SF-36, and FFI evaluations, DN was statistically more effective than the ESWT method (p < 0.001). In the 15° proprioception evaluations, a significant difference was observed in the patient's ankle in both methods, while the DN method is more effective in the indicated stages of evaluation.

Conclusions: Both methods applied to epin calcanei patients were effective, but the DN method is a more effective treatment method than the ESWT method in terms of balance, proprioception, foot function, and quality of life.