Shock wave therapy for chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.
01 Jun 2001-Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (Clin Orthop Relat Res)-Vol. 387, Iss: 387, pp 47-59
TL;DR: The current study showed that the directed application of electrohydraulic-generated shock waves to the insertion of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneus is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for treating chronic, recalcitrant heel pain syndrome.
Abstract: Three hundred two patients with chronic heel pain caused by proximal plantar fasciitis were enrolled in a study to assess the treatment effects consequent to administration of electrohydraulicall-generated extracorporeal shock waves. Symptoms had been present from 6 months to 18 years. Each treated patient satisfied numerous inclusion and exclusion criteria before he or she was accepted into this study, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a randomized, double-blind evaluation of the efficacy of shock wave therapy for this disorder. Overall, at the predetermined evaluation period 3 months after one treatment, 56% more of the treated patients had a successful result by all four of the evaluation criteria when compared with the patients treated with a placebo. This difference was significant and corroborated the fact that this difference in the results was specifically attributable to the shock wave treatment, rather than any natural improvement caused by the natural history of the condition. The current study showed that the directed application of electrohydraulic-generated shock waves to the insertion of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneus is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for treating chronic, recalcitrant heel pain syndrome that has been present for at least 6 months and has been refractory to other commonly used nonoperative therapies. This technology, when delivered using the OssaTron (High Medical Technology, Kreuz-lingen, Switzerland), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of chronic proximal plantar fasciitis. The results suggest that this therapeutic modality should be considered before any surgical options, and even may be preferable to cortisone injection, which has a recognized risk of rupture of the plantar fascia and recurrence of symptoms.
Citations
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TL;DR: In conclusion, shock wave therapy induces the ingrowth of neovascularization associated with early release of angiogenesis‐related markers at the Achilles tendon–bone junction in rabbits, which may play a role to improve blood supply and tissue regeneration at the tendon-bone junction.
597 citations
Cites background from "Shock wave therapy for chronic prox..."
...In clinical application, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has shown effect in the treatment of certain orthopedic conditions including non-union of long bone fracture [21,30,32,37,39], calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder [15,27,31,33,42], lateral epicondylitis of the elbow [10,13,24,28,34], proximal plantar fasciitis [6,19,20, 25,29] and Achilles tendonitis [24]....
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429 citations
TL;DR: The mechanical, vascular, neural, and other theories that seek to explain the pathologic process are explored in this article, as is the rationale for surgical intervention.
Abstract: Overuse disorders of tendons, or tendinopathies, present a challenge to sports physicians, surgeons, and other health care professionals dealing with athletes. The Achilles, patellar, and supraspinatus tendons are particularly vulnerable to injury and often difficult to manage successfully. Inflammation was believed central to the pathologic process, but histopathologic evidence has confirmed the failed healing response nature of these conditions. Excessive or inappropriate loading of the musculotendinous unit is believed to be central to the disease process, although the exact mechanism by which this occurs remains uncertain. Additionally, the location of the lesion (for example, the midtendon or osteotendinous junction) has become increasingly recognized as influencing both the pathologic process and subsequent management. The mechanical, vascular, neural, and other theories that seek to explain the pathologic process are explored in this article. Recent developments in the nonoperative management of chronic tendon disorders are reviewed, as is the rationale for surgical intervention. Recent surgical advances, including minimally invasive tendon surgery, are reviewed. Potential future management strategies, such as stem cell therapy, growth factor treatment, and gene transfer, are also discussed.
319 citations
TL;DR: The effectiveness of other frequently employed treatments in altering the clinical course of plantar heel pain has not been established in comparative studies and well designed and conducted randomised studies are required.
Abstract: Background
Ten percent of people may experience pain under the heel (plantar heel pain) at some time. Injections, insoles, heel pads, strapping and surgery have been common forms of treatment offered. The absolute and relative effectiveness of these interventions are poorly understood.
Objectives
The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of treatments for plantar heel pain.
Search strategy
We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group specialised register (September 2002), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library issue 3, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2002), EMBASE (1988 to September 2002) and reference lists of articles and dissertations. Four podiatry journals were handsearched to 1998. We contacted all UK schools of podiatry to identify dissertations on the management of heel pain, and investigators in the field to identify unpublished data or research in progress. No language restrictions were applied.
Selection criteria
Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of interventions for plantar heel pain in adults.
Data collection and analysis
Two reviewers independently evaluated randomised controlled trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Additional information was obtained by direct contact with investigators. No poolable data were identified. Where measures of variance were available we have calculated the weighted mean differences based on visual analogue scale (VAS) scores.
Main results
Nineteen randomised trials involving 1626 participants were included. Trial quality was generally poor, and pooling of data was not conducted. All trials measured heel pain as the primary outcome. Seven trials evaluated interventions against placebo/dummy or no treatment. There was limited evidence for the effectiveness of topical corticosteroid administered by iontophoresis, i.e. using an electric current, in reducing pain. There was some evidence for the effectiveness of injected corticosteroid providing temporary relief of pain. There was conflicting evidence for the effectiveness of low energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy in reducing night pain, resting pain and pressure pain in the short term (6 and 12 weeks) and therefore its effectiveness remains equivocal. In individuals with chronic pain (longer than six months), there was limited evidence for the effectiveness of dorsiflexion night splints in reducing pain. There was no evidence to support the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound, low-intensity laser therapy, exposure to an electron generating device or insoles with magnetic foil. No randomised trials evaluating surgery, or radiotherapy against a randomly allocated control population were identified. There was limited evidence for the superiority of corticosteroid injections over orthotic devices.
Authors' conclusions
Although there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of local corticosteroid therapy, the effectiveness of other frequently employed treatments in altering the clinical course of plantar heel pain has not been established in randomised controlled trials.
At the moment there is limited evidence upon which to base clinical practice. Treatments that are used to reduce heel pain seem to bring only marginal gains over no treatment and control therapies such as stretching exercises. Steroid injections are a popular method of treating the condition but only seem to be useful in the short term and only to a small degree. Orthoses should be cautiously prescribed for those patients who stand for long periods; there is limited evidence that stretching exercises and heel pads are associated with better outcomes than custom made orthoses in people who stand for more than eight hours per day.
Well designed and conducted randomised trials are required.
301 citations
TL;DR: It is found that there is no evidence to support a beneficial effect on pain, function, and quality of life of ultrasound-guided ESWT over placebo in patients with ultrasound-proven plantar fasciitis 6 and 12 weeks following treatment.
Abstract: ContextExtracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is increasingly used for plantar
fasciitis, but limited evidence supports its use.ObjectiveTo determine whether ultrasound-guided ESWT reduces pain and improves
function in patients with plantar fasciitis.DesignDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted between
April 1999 and June 2001.SettingParticipants were recruited from the community-based referring physicians
(primary care physicians, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and sports
physicians) of a radiology group in Melbourne, Australia.ParticipantsWe screened 178 patients and enrolled 166; 160 completed the 15-week
protocol. Entry criteria included age at least 18 years with plantar fasciitis,
defined as heel pain maximal over the plantar aspect of the foot of at least
6 weeks' duration, and an ultrasound-confirmed lesion, defined as thickening
of the origin of the plantar fascia of at least 4 mm, hypoechogenicity, and
alterations in the normal fibrillary pattern.InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided
ESWT given weekly for 3 weeks to a total dose of at least 1000 mJ/mm2 (n = 81), or identical placebo to a total dose of 6.0 mJ/mm2 (n = 85).Main Outcome MeasuresOverall, morning, and activity pain, measured on a visual analog scale;
Maryland Foot Score; walking ability; Short-Form–36 Health Survey (SF-36)
score; and Problem Elicitation Technique score, measured at 6 and 12 weeks
after treatment completion.ResultsAt 6 and 12 weeks, there were significant improvements in overall pain
in both the active group and placebo group (mean [SD] improvement, 18.1 [30.6]
and 19.8 [33.7] at 6 weeks [P = .74 for between-group
difference], and 26.3 [34.8] and 25.7 [34.9] at 12 weeks [P = .99], respectively). Similar improvements in both groups were also
observed for morning and activity pain, walking ability, Maryland Foot Score,
Problem Elicitation Technique, and SF-36. There were no statistically significant
differences in the degree of improvement between treatment groups for any
measured outcomes.ConclusionWe found no evidence to support a beneficial effect on pain, function,
and quality of life of ultrasound-guided ESWT over placebo in patients with
ultrasound-proven plantar fasciitis 6 and 12 weeks following treatment.
268 citations
Cites background from "Shock wave therapy for chronic prox..."
...While the duration of symptoms was again longer than in our trial (mean [range] duration of symptoms: 22 [6-120] months and24....
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References
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TL;DR: In overuse clinical conditions in and around tendons, frank inflammation is infrequent, and is associated mostly with tendon ruptures, and this leads athletes and coaches to underestimate the proven chronicity of the condition.
Abstract: In overuse clinical conditions in and around tendons, frank inflammation is infrequent, and is associated mostly with tendon ruptures. Tendinosis implies tendon degeneration without clinical or histological signs of intratendinous inflammation, and is not necessarily symptomatic. Patients undergoing an operation for Achilles tendinopathy show similar areas of degeneration. When the term tendinitis is used in a clinical context, it does not refer to a specific histopathological entity. However, tendinitis is commonly used for conditions that are truly tendinoses, and this leads athletes and coaches to underestimate the proven chronicity of the condition. Paratenonitis is characterized by acute edema and hypermia of the paratenon, with infiltration of inflammatory cells, possibly with production of a fibrinous exudate that fills the tendon sheath, causing the typical crepitus that can be felt on clinical examination. The term partial tear of a tendon should describe a macroscopically evident subcutaneous partial tear of a tendon, an uncommon acute lesion. Most articles describing the surgical treatment of 'partial tears' of a given tendon in reality deal with degenerative tendinopathies. The combination of pain, swelling, and impaired performance should be labeled tendinopathy. According to the tissues affected, the terms tendinopathy, paratendinopathy, or pantendinopathy should be used.
678 citations
Journal Article•
611 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that plantar fascia rupture after corticosteroid injection may result in long-term sequelae that are difficult to resolve.
Abstract: From 1992 to 1995, 765 patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were evaluated by one of the authors. Fifty-one patients were diagnosed with plantar fascia rupture, and 44 of these ruptures were associated with corticosteroid injection. The authors injected 122 of the 765 patients, resulting in 12 of the 44 plantar fascia ruptures. Subjective and objective evaluations were conducted through chart and radiographic review. Thirty-nine of these patients were evaluated at an average 27-month follow-up. Thirty patients (68%) reported a sudden onset of tearing at the heel, and 14 (32%) had a gradual onset of symptoms. In most cases the original heel pain was relieved by rupture. However, these patients subsequently developed new problems including longitudinal arch strain, lateral and dorsal midfoot strain, lateral plantar nerve dysfunction, stress fracture, hammertoe deformity, swelling, and/or antalgia. All patients exhibited diminished tension of the plantar fascia upon examination by the stretch test. Comparison of calcaneal pitch angles in the affected and uninvolved foot showed a statistically significant difference of 3.7 degrees (P = 0.0001). Treatment included NSAIDs, rest or cross-training, stretching, orthotics, and boot-brace immobilization. At an average 27-month follow-up, 50% had good/excellent scores and 50% had fair/poor scores. Recovery time was varied. Ten feet were asymptomatic by 6 months post rupture, four feet by 12 months post rupture, and 26 feet remained symptomatic 1 year post rupture. Our findings demonstrate that plantar fascia rupture after corticosteroid injection may result in long-term sequelae that are difficult to resolve.
365 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that, when used in conjunction with a stretching program, a prefabricated shoe insert is more likely to produce improvement in symp-toms as part of the initial treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis than a custom polypropylene orthotic device.
Abstract: Fifteen centers for orthopaedic treatment of the foot and ankle participated in a prospective randomized trial to compare several nonoperative treatments for proximal plantar fasciitis (heel pain syndrome). Included were 236 patients (160 women and 76 men) who were 16 years of age or older. Most reported duration of symptoms of 6 months or less. Patients with systemic disease, significant musculoskeletal complaints, sciatica, or local nerve entrapment were excluded. We randomized patients prospectively into five different treatment groups. All groups performed Achilles tendon- and plantar fascia-stretching in a similar manner. One group was treated with stretching only. The other four groups stretched and used one of four different shoe inserts, including a silicone heel pad, a felt pad, a rubber heel cup, or a custom-made polypropylene orthotic device.Patients were reevaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. The percentages improved in each group were: (1) silicone insert, 95%; (2) rubber insert, 88%; (3) fe...
356 citations
TL;DR: Of 27 surgically treated cases followed from one to three years, satisfactory results were obtained in 24 cases, and Histologically, localized fibrosis or granulomatous changes or both were noted in several cases.
Abstract: Plantar fasciitis is a common orthopedic syndrome among athletes and nonathletes. The etiology of the pain is multifactorial but usually involves inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia origin. The majority of patients will respond to conservative measures. Surgical treatment is reserved for those patients who do not respond. A complete plantar fascia release is performed through a medial longitudinal incision. Prominent heel spurs and degenerated areas in the plantar fascia are resected. Of 27 surgically treated cases followed from one to three years, satisfactory results were obtained in 24 cases. Histologically, localized fibrosis or granulomatous changes or both were noted in several cases.
328 citations