Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) is not superior to “minimal-dose” rESWT for patients with chronic plantar fasciopathy; a double-blinded randomised controlled trial

<p>Background: </p> <p>Investigating outcomes following radial-extra-corporeal-shockwave-therapy (rESWT) in patients with chronic plantar fasciopathy. </p> <p>Methods: </p> <p>This double-blinded RCT in a single NHS Sports medicine clinic recruited 117 patients with chronic plantar fasciopathy randomised equally to either 3 sessions of rESWT or “minimal-dose” respectively. Mean age 51.7 ± 9.6 years, 66 % female, symptom duration: 32.6 ± 30.8 months. </p> <p>Results: </p> <p>“Average pain” improved by 50 % at 6-months, (> 1/3 at interim time-points). Statistically significant within-group improvements were identified in pain, local function, and “ability” PROMs in both groups. Fewer benefits in activity levels or mood. No between-group differences were seen at the interim or final time-points. </p> <p>Conclusion: </p> <p>3 sessions of “recommended-dose” rESWT is non-superior to “minimal-dose” rESWT in patients with chronic plantar fasciopathy. rESWT may be ineffective in the treatment of patients with chronic plantar fasciopathy, “minimal-dose” rESWT may be sufficient for a therapeutic effect, or a greater number of treatment sessions may be required for benefit. </p> <p>Level of evidence: </p> <p>Level I – Randomised controlled trial</p>