Rydberg B.1,2, Harringe M.L.3, Westin M.3, Johanzon A.4, Heijne A.5
1Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden, 2Hela Kroppen Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden, 3Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm, Sweden, 4Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden, 5Karolinska Institutet, Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Stockholm, Sweden
Background: Both shock wave therapy and stretch of the plantar fascia and achilles tendon has been shown to have good effect on improving the function of the foot and reducing pain in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Focused shockwave therapy combined with stretch in of the plantar fascia and achilles tendon with stretching alone in patients suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis one month and 12 months past treatment.
Methods: Thirty-two participants diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis was enrolled. They were randomly selected to start a treatment regime where they either received focused shockwave treatment on three occasions, once weekly and daily stretching (SW), or were part of the reference group (R), whom only conducted daily stretching of the plantar fascia and achilles tendon. Self-estimated foot function was assessed by using the Foot and Ankel Outcome Score (FAOS) and pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At 12 months follow- up only 25 patients were available for evaluation
(SW group n=14, R group n=11).
Results: One month after treatment there was a significant reduction of pain for both groups compared to baseline, estimated with FAOS and VAS. The SW group showed a significant improvement int the subgroup pain (P=0,05)( FAOS) and for Pain in everyday activity (P=0,003)(VAS). The R-group showed a significant improvement in the subgroup of Pain (P=0,007) and in the subgroup of Foot related quality of life (P=0,02)(FAOS). The R-group showed a significant difference before and after intervention period (P=0,008) in terms of Pain at first steps after inactivity (VAS). At twelve months follow up the outcome measures showed similar results and no differences between treatment groups were detected.
Conclusion(s): The current study could not demonstrate that shock wave treatment, as a supplement to stretch of the plantar fascia and achilles tendon, was more effective in terms of reducing pain and improve function, compared to stretching alone in patients suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Implications: A combination of well known therapies for the treatment of plantar fasciitis may win the effect of reduced pain and improved function.
Funding acknowledgements: No funding.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Ethics approval: Ethics approval from the Ethic Comimttee, SouthEast. No: EPK 64-2011
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
