Evaluating the Long-Term Effect of Shockwave Therapy in Treating Plantar Fasciitis

Author(s): Shahina Sarker, Mohammad Muhibbur Rahman, Monia Hafiz, Md Arifur Rahman Chowdhury, Suriya Shahaly, Shamim Farhad, Mehedi ABM, Sayat Quayum, Mohammad Moniruzzaman

Background: Plantar fasciitis affects over two million people annually, with women nearly twice as susceptible. Conventional treatments often provide only temporary relief, whereas Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has long-term effects in reducing pain and improving function as a non-invasive option.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term effect of ESWT in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes among patients with plantar fasciitis.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dhaka Medical College, from July 2019 to June 2020. Forty-six patients were enrolled by purposive sampling, and 39 completed the study. All participants received ESWT along with NSAIDs, stretching exercises, massage, heel pads, and activity modification. ESWT was applied three times weekly for three weeks. Pain and function were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 25 with a 5% significance level.

Results: Among 39 participants (mean age 45.66 ± 7.39 years, BMI 24.29 ± 3.11 kg/m²), 53.8% were male, and 59.0% had left-sided involvement. The mean VAS pain score decreased significantly from 8.82 ± 0.88 to 1.66 ± 0.77, and FFI score from 59.65 ± 5.43 to 10.10 ± 3.23 at 48 weeks (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: ESWT is a safe, effective, and durable treatment for plantar fasciitis, producing significant pain relief and functional improvement up to 48 weeks. It may be considered a first-line therapy, especially for patients unresponsive to conventional management.