The Official journal of the China Association of Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons and the 88^th Hospital of PLA

Composite Impact Factor:

0. 948 (2015)

Total citation frequency: 3868 (2015)

ISSN 1005-8478

CN 37-1247/R

  Abstract:

Objective

To compare the outcomes of two different shock wave regimens for chronic plantar fasciitis.

Methods

According to the shock wave regimen applied, 112 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomly divided into two groups: the plantar group had shock wave applied only in the plantar area, whereas the composite group had the treatment utilized in the triceps surae besides the plantar area. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of plantar area were compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with those before treatment, the VAS in both groups significantly decreased immediately after treatment, at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment, especially in the composite group (P<0.05) . The VAS in the composite group at each time point after treatment was lower than that in the plantar group  (P< 0.05) , although no significant difference was noted between them before treatment (P>0.05) . Additionally, the PPT  significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment, especially in the composite group (P<0.05) , in spite of no statistically  distinguishable PPT change between the two groups among the time points before treatment, immediately after treatment and 1 week after treatment (P>0.05) . The PPT in the composite group at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment was significantly higher than that in the plantar group (P<0.05) .

Conclusion

For treatment of plantar fasciitis, shock wave applied on the triceps  surae combined with plantar fascia is superior to that used only on the plantar fascia.