Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for the Treatment of Refractory Plantar Fasciitis / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to report the outcomes of patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for refractory plantar fasciitis of the foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2005 to October 2006, a total of sixty-two patients with refractory plantar fasciitis were treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. The main outcome measurements were visual analogue scale (VAS) and Roles and Maudsley score evaluated before treatment and at one and six months after treatment. RESULTS: Roles and Maudsley score was excellent (0%), good (6.4%), fair (35.4%) and poor (58.2%) before treatment which improved to excellent (56.5%), good (38.7%), fair (4.8%) and poor (0%) at final follow-up. VAS scores also significantly improved after ESWT (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between clinical results and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.102). CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy appears to be an effective and safe treatment modality for refractory plantar fasciitis and may help the patient to avoid surgery for refractory heel pain.