Shockwave therapy for patients with plantar fasciitis: a one-year follow-up study.

The effect of shockwave therapy was investigated in 79 patients (85 heels) with plantar fasciitis with one-year follow-up. There were 59 women and 20 men with an average age of 47 (range, 15-75) years. Each patient was treated with 1000 impulses of shockwave at 14 kV to the affected heel. A 100-point scoring system was used for evaluation including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function. The intensity of pain was based on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The overall results were 75.3% complaint-free, 18.8% significantly better, 5.9% slightly better and none unchanged or worse. The effect of shockwave therapy seemed cumulative and was time-dependent. The recurrence rate was 5%. There were no device-related problems, systemic or local complications. Shockwave therapy is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis.