Effectiveness of shockwave therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of single-dose focal shockwave therapy in plantar fasciitis treatment. Methods: a primary, prospective study of a series of cases, conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, by the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, in Hospital São Paulo. All outcomes were measured at the time of inclusion of the patient in the study and at the post-intervention moments as it follows: three, six and twelve weeks. The VAS, AOFAS and SF-36 scales were applied by teams other than those who performed the SWT. Results: Data from 56 patients were collected during 2017 and 2018. There was improvement of the parameter evaluated (p < 0.005 and 95%CI) in all the periods in which the patients were reevaluated (3, 6 and 12 weeks), progressive improvement were observed in the three outcomes evaluated. Conclusion: Shock wave therapy was effective for plantar fasciitis treatment according to the proposed protocol considering pain, function and quality of life. Level of Evidence Ic, Case-series Study.