OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared with placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. DESIGN: Randomised, blinded, multicentre trial with parallel group design. SETTING:Nine hospitals and one outpatient clinic in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: 272 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis recalcitrant to conservative therapy for at least six months: 135 patients were allocatedextracorporeal shock wave therapy and 137 were allocated placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary 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. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSIONS:Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is ineffective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared with placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. DESIGN: Randomised, blinded, multicentre trial with parallel group design. SETTING: Nine hospitals and one outpatient clinic in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: 272 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 MEASURES: Primary 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. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is ineffective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.
Authors: Carla Stecco; Marco Corradin; Veronica Macchi; Aldo Morra; Andrea Porzionato; Carlo Biz; Raffaele De Caro Journal: J Anat Date: 2013-09-12 Impact factor: 2.610
Authors: Douglas L Miller; Nadine B Smith; Michael R Bailey; Gregory J Czarnota; Kullervo Hynynen; Inder Raj S Makin Journal: J Ultrasound Med Date: 2012-04 Impact factor: 2.153