Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared with placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.DesignRandomised, blinded, multicentre trial with parallel group design.SettingNine hospitals and one outpatient clinic in Germany.Participants272 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis recalcitrant to conservative therapy for at least six months: 135 patients were allocated extracorporeal shock wave therapy and 137 were allocated placebo.Main outcome measuresPrimary end point was the success rate 12 weeks after intervention based on the Roles and Maudsley score. Secondary end points encompassed subjective pain ratings and walking ability up to a year after the last intervention.ResultsThe primary end point could be assessed in 94% (n=256) of patients. The success rate 12 weeks after intervention was 34% (n=43) in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and 30% (n=39) in the placebo group (95% confidence interval - 8.0% to 15.1%). No difference was found in the secondary end points. Few side effects were reported.ConclusionsExtracorporeal shock wave therapy is ineffective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
Project description:BackgroundPlantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an alternative treatment for refractory cases of plantar fasciitis. Studies also demonstrated that ESWT may be an appropriate treatment for myofascial trigger points. This study was designed to evaluate its effectiveness by comparing the ESWT of Gastrocnemius/Soleus (gastroc-soleus) trigger points and heel region with the ESWT of the heel region alone.Materials and methodsThe study was carried out among 40 patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, divided randomly to case (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The case group received ESWT for the heel region and for the gastroc-soleus trigger points. The control group received ESWT just for the heel region. The protocol was the same in both groups and they were treated for three sessions every week. The pain score (100 mm visual analog score [VAS]) and the modified Roles and Maudsley score was evaluated before the first session and eight weeks after the last session.ResultsEight weeks after the last session, although the mean VAS had decreased significantly in both groups, this decrement was more significant in the case group. (P = 0.04). According to the modified Roles and Maudsley score, there was a significant improvement in both the case (P < 0.001) and control (P = 0.01) groups, eight weeks after treatment, but there were significantly better results in the case group.ConclusionThe combination of ESWT for both plantar fasciitis and gastroc-soleus trigger points in treating patients with plantar fasciitis is more effective than utilizing it solely for plantar fasciitis.
Project description:BackgroundPlantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of heel pain. Among the several conservative treatment options, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is considered the standard treatment. However, recent studies suggest that PF may be sustained by a myofascial impairment proximal to the pain area with a biomechanical disequilibrium of the entire limb and pelvis.AimBy combining the concepts of fascial manipulation and ESWT, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ESWT on myofascial points in a sample of subjects with PF.DesignOpen label randomized controlled clinical trial.SettingOutpatient clinic.PopulationPatients with PF were randomly assigned to an experimental treatment group (EG), treated with focused ESWT on myofascial points, and a control group (CG), treated with the focused ESWT traditional approach on the medial calcaneal tubercle.MethodsEvery patient underwent a 3-session program and follow-up after 1 and 4 months. Outcome measures included the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Italian Foot Functional Index (17-iFFI).ResultsThirty patients were enrolled in the study. Four patients of the CG dropped out the study, therefore twenty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Improvement in 17-iFFI and FAOS scores was observed in both groups starting from the third treatment and confirmed at the 1-month and 4-month follow-ups, with earlier improvement in the score values observed in the EG.ConclusionsTreatment of the myofascial points with ESWT in subjects suffering from plantar fasciitis could be an effective treatment option. It fosters the hypothesis that a global biomechanical re-equilibrium of the body would be necessary to completely solve the pathology.Clinical rehabilitation impactESWT on myofascial points could provide an interesting alternative with better outcomes in terms of time needed for recovery compared to traditional ESWT for the conservative management of PF.
Project description:BackgroundPlantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of adult heel pain. The aim of this study is to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of various therapies for plantar fasciitis using network meta-analysis.MethodsStudies were comprehensively searched on Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) up to December 4, 2017. Randomized controlled trials that used extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ultrasound, ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment (UG-PRF), intracorporeal pneumatic shock therapy (IPST), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and noninvasive interactive neurostimulation (NIN) for the treatment of plantar fasciitis were included. The primary outcome is change in pain relief. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Quality assessment was performed using the GRADE system.ResultsNineteen trials with 1676 patients with plantar fasciitis plantar fasciitis were included. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RSW), LLLT, and IPST showed a significant pooled reduction in the visual analogue scale (VAS) compared with placebo at 0 to 6 weeks [mean difference (MD) = 6.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): (6.04, -7.16); MD = 2.34, 95% CI: (1.60, 3.08); MD = 2.24, 95% CI: (1.44, 3.04), respectively]. Compared with placebo, UG-PRF [MD = 2.31, 95% CI: (1.26, 3.36)] and high-intensity focused extracorporeal shock wave (H-FSW) [MD = 0.82, 95% CI: (0.20, 1.45)] showed superior pain-relieving effects at 2 to 4 months; UG-PRF [MD = 1.11, 95% CI: (0.07, 2.15)] and IPST [MD = 4.92, 95% CI: (4.11, 5.73)] showed superior effects at 6 to 12 months. In the network meta-analysis, only RSW induced significant pain reduction compared with placebo at 0 to 6 weeks [MD = 3.67, 95% CI: (0.31, 6.9)]. No significant differences were found for the 2 to 4-month and 6 to 12-month periods because of the wide 95% CIs.ConclusionsWe recommend treating plantar fasciitis with RSW. The commonly used ultrasound and focused extracorporeal shock wave (FSW) therapies can be considered as alternative treatment candidates. IPST, NIN, and LLLT may potentially be better alternatives, although their superiority should be confirmed by additional comprehensive evidence.PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42015017353).
Project description:Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is proposed to be effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcome in chronic plantar fasciitis. However, no long-term reports exist on the changes in plantar fascia (PF) elasticity after ESWT. We aimed to evaluate the changes in PF stiffness in patients with plantar fasciitis undergoing ESWT. The visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100) was used for evaluating heel pain severity. B-mode sonography and strain sonoelastography were used for evaluating the PF thickness and stiffness. The sonoelastogram was analyzed using hue histogram analysis (value: 0-255, from stiffer to softer). All evaluations were recorded before ESWT, and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after ESWT. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare pain VAS, PF thickness, and PF hue value at different follow-up time-points. Twenty-two participants (8 men, 14 women) completed all measurements for 12 months. The VAS of heel pain, PF thickness, and PF hue values at pre-ESWT, and 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month evaluations after ESWT were 62.4?±?4.2, 49.3?±?5.8, 38.3?±?5.7, 27.9?±?5.3, 18.9?±?4.7, and 13.2?±?3.0 (p?<?0.01 in all measurements post ESWT versus pre-ESWT); 5.57?±?0.22?mm, 5.64?±?0.18?mm, 5.45?±?0.24?mm, 5.37?±?0.20?mm, 5.08?±?0.20?mm, and 4.62?±?0.15?mm (p?<?0.01 at 6-month; otherwise p?>?0.05); and 24.5?±?2.4, 35.2?±?3.1, 31.0?±?4.1, 30.5?±?3.9, 21.4?±?2.1, and 15.9?±?1.6 (p?<?0.01 at 1-week and 6-month; otherwise p?>?0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the heel pain intensity and PF thickness reduced gradually over 12 months after ESWT. The PF stiffness decreased during the first week and increased thereafter; at the 12-month follow-up, stiffness was more than at pre-ESWT.
Project description:BackgroundIt is controversial whether ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid is superior to palpation-guided injection for plantar fasciitis. This meta-analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided and palpation-guided injection of corticosteroid for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.MethodsDatabases (MEDLINE, Cochrane library and EMBASE) and reference lists were searched from their establishment to August 30, 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ultrasound-guided with palpation-guided injection for plantar fasciitis. The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool was used to assess the methodological quality. Outcome measurements were visual analogue scale (VAS), tenderness threshold (TT), heel tenderness index (HTI), response rate, plantar fascia thickness (PFT), hypoechogenicity and heel pad thickness (HPT). The statistical analysis was performed with software RevMan 5.2 and Stata 12.0. When I2<50%, the fixed-effects model was adopted. Otherwise the randomized-effects model was adopted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the quality of evidence.ResultsFive RCTs with 149 patients were identified and analyzed. Compared with palpation-guided injection, ultrasound-guided injection was superior with regard to VAS, TT, response rate, PFT and hypoechogenicity. However, there was no statistical significance between the two groups for HPT and HTI.ConclusionUltrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid tends to be more effective than palpation-guided injection. However, it needs to be confirmed by further research.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used as a safe alternative treatment for refractory musculoskeletal diseases, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and gluteal tendinopathy, and various forms of fibromatosis including palmar or penile fibromatosis. However, there is limited published data for clinical and sonographic features of plantar fibromatosis after ESWT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of ESWT in ultrasonography-confirmed plantar fibromatosis and ultrasonographic changes of plantar fibroma after ESWT. METHODS:Medical charts of 26 patients (30 feet) with plantar fibromatosis confirmed by ultrasonography were reviewed. Finally, a total of 10 feet who underwent ESWT for "Poor" or "Fair" grade of Roles-Maudsley Score (RMS) and symptoms persisted for >6 months were included in this study. Short-term follow-up was conducted one week after ESWT and long-term follow-up time averaged 34.0 months. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and RMS were collected for the evaluation of clinical features. Follow-up ultrasonography was conducted at long-term follow-up and changes of plantar fibroma was assessed. A greater than 50% reduction in the NRS and achievement of a "good" or "excellent" grade in the RMS were regarded as treatment success. Additionally, medical charts of 144 patients (168 feet) with plantar fasciitis confirmed by ultrasonography were reviewed and subsequently, 42 feet who underwent ESWT with the same protocol were included for the comparison of clinical features. RESULTS:In plantar fibromatosis, baseline NRS (6.2 ± 1.3) and RMS (3.5 ± 0.5) were significantly improved at short-term follow-up (NRS, 1.8 ± 1.0; RMS, 2.0 ± 0.8, P < .001, respectively) and long-term follow-up (NRS, 0.6 ± 1.1; RMS, 1.4 ± 0.8, P < .001, respectively). Treatment success was recorded in seven feet (70.0%) at short-term follow-up and 8 feet (80%) at long-term follow-up, which is comparable to that of the plantar fasciitis group (28 feet, 66.7%; 35 feet, 83.3%, respectively). In long-term follow-up ultrasonography, mean fibroma thickness was reduced from 4.4±1.0 to 2.6±0.8 mm (P = .003); however, length and width were not significantly changed. There were no serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION:While these are preliminary findings, and must be confirmed in a randomized placebo control study, ESWT can have a beneficial long-term effect on pain relief and functional outcomes in painful plantar fibromatosis. However, ESWT is unlikely to affect the ultrasonographic morphology of plantar fibroma, with the exception of reducing the thickness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Project description:Objective:Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is applied in the conservative treatment of inflammatory plantar fasciitis, which is also a characteristic feature of spondyloarthritis (SpA) (Gill, 1997 and Roxas, 2005). We determined and compared the effectiveness of LLLT and ESWT using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods:This study is a prospective, randomized, comparative, single-blind clinical study. Voluntarily followed 40 patients with the diagnosis of SpA and having pain at the heels at least for 6 months. Patients were divided randomly into two treatment groups. One group undertook 14 sessions of infrared Ga-Al-As LLLT, and the other group undertook 3 sessions ESWT. Feet functions of the patients were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Roles and Maudsley Scoring; VAS was evaluated for foot pain and function. In clinical assessment, disease activity was carried out by applying the BASDAI, the functional assessment was evaluated through the BASFI, and the patient quality of life was evaluated through the ASQoL; enthesitis was scored according to MASES assessment, performed before and at 1 month after treatment. The thickness of the plantar fascia was measured with MRI before and 1 month after treatment. Results:Compared with the pretherapy, progress in the feet function by AOFAS and Roles-Maudsley scoring and decrease in VAS levels were statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.001). Only the VAS exercise score was superior to LLLT (p < 0.05). The thickness of the plantar fascia had decreased significantly on MRI in all two groups. Conclusion:The treatment of plantar fasciitis with LLLT and ESWT was more successful in pain improvement and functional outcomes with the dose, frequency, and duration used in our study.
Project description:BackgroundMany studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and local corticosteroid injection (LCI) for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and some studies showed that the effect of ESWT was superior to LCI. We performed this meta-analysis to compare the clinical effects across the two therapies.MethodsRelevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESWT and LCI for the treatment of CTS were searched in electronic database. The Cochrane risk bias tool was used for quality assessment. After data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Mean differences (MDs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on INPLASY (202080025) and is available in full on the inplasy.com ( https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2020.8.0025 ) RESULTS: A total of 5 RCT studies with 204 patients were included from the electronic database. The meta-analysis results showed that two therapies were not significantly different in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score (P = 0.65), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BQ) score (P = 0.14), sensory distal latency (P = 0.66), and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the sensory nerve (P = 0.06). There were significant differences between the results of motor distal latency (P < 0.0001), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude (P < 0.00001), and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude (P = 0.004).ConclusionsIn terms of pain relief and function improvement, the effects of ESWT and LCI are not significantly different. In terms of electrophysiological parameters, LCI has a stronger effect on shortening motor distal latency; ESWT is superior to LCI in improving action potential amplitude. ESWT is a noninvasive treatment with fewer complications and greater patient safety. In light of the heterogeneity and limitations, these conclusions require further research for definitive conclusions to be drawn.