The Efficacy of Three-Dimensional Sweeping Mode Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

Abstract

Purpose: This was a pilot study to examine the clinical usefulness of the newly developed three-dimensional sweep mode extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) in patients with plantar fasciitis. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional sweep mode ESWT was performed once a week for 5 weeks in patients with plantar fasciitis who showed no improvement with the conventional conservative treatment. A 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) reading for pain from walking and at rest after walking were collected before the treatment and 8 and 16 weeks after the initial treatment. In addition, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and EuroQol-5-dimension (EQ-5D) scores before and 16 weeks after the treatment were evaluated. Results: VAS for pain for walking improved from 50.60±8.38 to 19.80±15.61 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.008) and 9.80±9.62 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p<0.001). VAS for pain at rest after walking improved from 36.60±19.55 to 11.80±12.95 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.052) and 8.80±8.87 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p=0.024). Preoperative FAOS increased from an average of 74.80±9.73 before the treatment to an average of 81.00±8.86 at week 16 after the procedure (p=0.49) and compared to pre-treatment levels, there was a decrease of one level in the anxiety/depression domain of the EQ-5D, post-treatment. Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study confirmed that the newly developed EWST with the smart forging sweep mode was effective in improving pain and function in plantar fasciitis.