Comparison of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Using Two Different Frequencies

Objective To compare results of two different frequencies and densities of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) after 10 sessions. Methods A total of 41 patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups were administered 10 sessions of treatment consisting of 15 Hz frequency, 3.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 1^st group, and 10 Hz frequency, 2.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 2^nd group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and a modification of the clinical rating system of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used for outcome measurement. The patients were assessed before treatment and followed up four weeks, and 12 weeks after end of treatment. Results Mean VAS scores were reduced after rESWT from 7.52 ± 2.34 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 0.57 ± 0.68 at 12 weeks in the 1^st group and from 6.45 ± 2.04 at baseline to 0.40 ± 0.60 at 12 weeks in the 2^nd group. Similar changes were found for mean AOFAS scores from baseline after rESWT but were not observed significance between groups. Conclusion There is no significant different effect between the two treatment groups' results.