Comparison of the Acute Effect of Radial Shock Wave Therapy and Ultrasound Therapy in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: This study compared the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (r-ESWT) with ultrasound (US) therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF).

Study design: Level II, randomized controlled study.

Design: A total of 54 female patients with unilateral PF were randomly assigned to two study groups and one control group. All groups performed home exercises. In addition, the first study group received three sessions of r-ESWT treatment and the second study group received seven sessions of US treatment. The Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) hind foot score were determined. Static and dynamic equilibrium were evaluated with the single leg standing test and the functional reach test. Ankle proprioception sense was determined with the Biodex III isokinetic device. Patients were evaluated before and four weeks after the first treatment.

Results: According to the evaluation results, there was a decrease in FFI values in all groups and these decreases were more prominent in the US group than the other groups (P < 0.05). It was observed that the hind foot AOFAS scores increased in all groups, but this increase was less in the control group (P < 0.05). Static and dynamic balance increased in all groups (P < 0.05). Ankle proprioception sense increased only in the r-ESWT group (P <0.05).

Conclusions: All groups and particularly the r-ESWT and US groups' symptoms were decreased after treatment. However; FFI parameters were reduced more in the US groups than the other two groups, the ankle proprioception sense increased in the r-ESWT group, and there was no change in the other groups.