Dose-related effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis

• Published in: Annals of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 379 - 388
• Main Authors: Lee, Su-Jin, Kang, Jung-Ho, Kim, Ja-Young, Kim, Jin-Hong, Yoon, Seo-Ra, Jung, Kwang-Ik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 01.06.2013; 대한재활의학회
• Subjects: Original; 재활의학; Extracorporeal shock wave therapy; Dose-related Effect; Plantar fasciitis
• ISSN: 2234-0645; 2234-0653
• DOI: 10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.379

To examine the dose-related effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for plantar fasciitis. Sixty patients with plantar fasciitis despite conservative treatment were enrolled. The patients were divided into a low-energy group (group L: n=30, 1,000 shocks/session, energy flux density [EFD] per shock 0.08 mJ/mm(2)) and a medium-energy group (group M: n=30, 1,000 shocks/session, EFD 0.16 mJ/mm(2)). The main outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), Roles and Maudsley (RM) score, and thickness of plantar fascia (PF). To compare the effects between each group, follow-up was carried out 1 week after 3 and 6 sessions, and 1 and 3 months after ESWT. Significant VAS and RM score improvement, and PF thickness reduction were observed in both groups (p<0.01). After 3 sessions of ESWT, group M showed significant improvement in the VAS and RM score than group L, whereas after 3 additional sessions applied in group L, the main outcomes were no longer significantly different in both groups (p>0.05). Therapeutic effect might disclose a dose-related relationship; therefore, EFD and the times of the session are considerable factors when treating with ESWT.