Comparative Effectiveness of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Ultrasound-Guided Local Corticosteroid Injection Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

Effect of corticosteroids over plantar fascia thickness in plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Corticosteroid injections have been typically used for the management of plantar fasciitis with apparently good clinical outcomes; however, there is no information of the effect of corticosteroids on the thickness of the plantar fascia which is typically altered in this pathology. We aimed determine whether treatment with corticosteroid injections induces plantar fascia thickness changes in plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) reporting the use of corticosteroid injection to treat plantar fasciitis to July 2022. Studies must have reported plantar fascia thickness measurement. The risk of bias in all studies was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and the generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

Data from 17 RCT (including 1109 subjects) were collected. The follow-up period ranged from one to six months. Most studies measured the thickness of the plantar fascia at the insertion into the calcaneus using ultrasound. Pooled analysis revealed that corticosteroid injections had no significant effect on plantar fascia thickness (weighted mean differences [WMD], 0.06 mm [95% CI: -0.17, 0.29]; p = 0.61) or pain relief (WMD, 0.12 cm [95% CI: -0.36, 0.61]; p = 0.62) above active controls.

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid injections do not perform better than other common interventions in terms of a decrease of plantar fascia thickness and pain relief for plantar fasciitis.

Efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, compared to corticosteroid injections, on pain, plantar fascia thickness and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock waves versus corticosteroids injections on pain, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. Secondarily, to assess the efficacy of radial and focused extracorporeal shock waves and the most appropriated intensity (high, medium or low).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PEDro, until April 2024, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

REVIEW METHODS

Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of extracorporeal shock waves versus corticosteroids injections on pain intensity and sensitivity, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using PEDro Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Pooled effect was calculated using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

RESULTS

Sixteen studies involving 1121 patients, showing a mean of 6 points in PEDro scale, were included. At three months, extracorporeal shock waves were better than corticosteroids injections in reducing pain (SMD -0.6; 95%CI -1.1 to -0.11) and thickness of the plantar fascia (SMD -0.4; 95%CI -0.8 to -0.01) and increasing foot function (SMD 0.27; 95%CI 0.12-0.44). At six months, extracorporeal shock waves are more effective in reducing pain (SMD -0.81; 95%CI -1.6 to -0.06) and increasing foot function (SMD 0.67; 95%CI 0.45-0.89). Local pain and slight erythema were the most frequent adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracorporeal shock waves are a safe therapy, presenting more efficacy than corticosteroids injections in improving pain, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function at mid-term.

The effect of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on pain in patients with various tendinopathies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

OBJECTIVES

Tendinopathy is a common condition that affects the body's tendon structures, causing discomfort, restricted movement, and reduced functionality. In this study, we looked at how extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) affected pain levels in individuals with various forms of tendinopathy around the world.

DESIGN

This study is a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of previously published randomized controlled trials. To gather relevant data, the researchers performed keyword searches in international databases, including PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Research Registers of ongoing trials (ClinicalTrials.gov), as well as Embase. The search was conducted up until March 2023. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias method for randomized trials (RoB2).

RESULTS

Based on the results of the meta-analysis, which included 45 clinical studies, the use of ESWT was found to have a significant impact on reducing pain in various conditions. The standardized mean difference (SMD) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF) was reduced by 1.63 (SMD: -1.63, 95% CI: -3.04, -0.21; I2: 77.36%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001). For lateral epicondylitis (LE), the SMD was 0.63 (SMD: -0.63, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.16; I2: 67.50%; P heterogeneity: 0.003). In the case of chronic Achilles tendinopathy, the SMD was 1.38 (SMD: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.66, -1.10; I2: 96.44%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001). Additionally, in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy, the SMD for pain reduction was 2.37 units (SMD: -2.37, 95% CI: -3.58, -1.15; I2: 98.46%; P heterogeneity: 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that ESWT can be a highly effective therapy option for relieving pain in people with tendinopathy. Nonetheless, it is encouraged to make additional recommendations based on high-quality clinical research and more accurate information in order to define the optimal therapeutic options for each type of tendinopathy.

An assessment of plantar fascia with ultrasound findings in patients with plantar fasciitis: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Plantar fasciitis (PFS) is described by an intense pain over medial tubercle of calcaneus, increased with the first step after waking up, after rest and during weightbearing activity. It is the most common cause of plantar heel pain in adults with the prevalence estimated 10% of the general population. Ultrasound imaging is commonly being used to measure the PF thickness, evaluate the efficacy of different treatments and a guide therapeutic technique in patients with PFS. The objective of this study was to systematically review the studies that were previously published to evaluate the role of ultrasound in the assessment of PF in patients with PFS.

METHODS

A systematic search was carried out over the last 5 years from 2017 to 2022 on basis the following electronic databases: Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer and PubMed. The keywords that used in the searching were: ultrasound, sonography, ultrasonography, plantar fasciitis, imaging of plantar fascia, physiotherapy of plantar fasciitis, interventional treatment of plantar fasciitis, randomized controlled trial of plantar fasciitis and interventional ultrasound. The review focused on the assessment of PF in patients with PFS underwent different interventions using B-mode, shear wave elastography (SWE) and color Doppler ultrasound.

RESULTS

During the search process, 1661 were recorded using the proper keywords from 2017 to 2022 in which 666 original articles were found after removing the review and duplicated articles. Of these, thirty articles met the inclusion criteria and included in this review. The articles have assessed the PF in patients with PFS under different conditions using different ultrasound modes. Twenty-six articles evaluated the effectiveness of different treatment on PF in patients with PFS using different ultrasound modes. In 8 of 26 articles, the ultrasound was used as both an assessment tool of PF and guide therapeutic technique in patients with PFS. In 18 articles, the ultrasound was used as only assessment tool to identify the PF thickness and its observation changes in patients with PFS. Four articles compared the PF thickness and its intrafascial changes between patients with PFS and healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

The ultrasound can be a reliable tool in assessment the effect of different interventions on PF by evaluating its thickness, echogenicity and stiffness changes in patients with PFS. There were different methods and treatments were used among the studies.

Ultrasound-Guided Partial Plantar Fascia Release with the Use of a Fine Cutting Device for the Treatment of Persistent Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of musculoskeletal discomfort. Minimally invasive interventions are preferred as second-line treatments following failure of conservative management. We report on a novel technique of ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the medial third of the plantar fascia with the use of a fine cutting device for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of all patients treated with the technique between 2013 and 2015. Patients had failed conservative management for a minimum of 6 months. The procedure was performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Under continuous ultrasound guidance, release of the medial third of the plantar fascia from the calcaneus was performed using an ophthalmic V-Lance knife through a medial stab wound entry point.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (six men and nine women) with an average age of 54.7 years were included. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) visual analogue scale score for pain improved significantly, from 66.0 (SD, 18.8) preoperatively to each consecutive follow-up point: 29.3 (SD, 25.2) at 2 weeks, 30.0 (SD, 27.8) at 4 weeks, and 34.0 (SD, 26.1) at 12 weeks (P < .001). The mild increase in visual analogue scale score between 4 and 12 weeks was statistically significant (P = .018). Average duration of required analgesia was 5.5 days and average time required to return to usual activities was 5.7 days. Two patients suffered with refractory neuropathic pain over the lateral border of the foot without any obvious abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release with the use of a fine cutting device could be an alternative option for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis. The technique is not without complications, and a mild but statistically significant decline in pain levels from early to short term has been detected. Therefore, the long-term outcomes of this technique need to be investigated before we can advocate its routine use.

Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values

Objective

To develop a best practice guide for managing people with plantar heel pain (PHP).

Methods

Mixed-methods design including systematic review, expert interviews and patient survey.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, trial registries, reference lists and citation tracking. Semi-structured interviews with world experts and a patient survey.

Eligibility criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating any intervention for people with PHP in any language were included subject to strict quality criteria. Trials with a sample size greater than n=38 were considered for proof of efficacy. International experts were interviewed using a semi-structured approach and people with PHP were surveyed online.

Results

Fifty-one eligible trials enrolled 4351 participants, with 9 RCTs suitable to determine proof of efficacy for 10 interventions. Forty people with PHP completed the online survey and 14 experts were interviewed resulting in 7 themes and 38 subthemes. There was good agreement between the systematic review findings and interview data about taping (SMD: 0.47, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.88) and plantar fascia stretching (SMD: 1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.63) for first step pain in the short term. Clinical reasoning advocated combining these interventions with education and footwear advice as the core self-management approach. There was good expert agreement with systematic review findings recommending stepped care management with focused shockwave for first step pain in the short-term (OR: 1.89, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.04), medium-term (SMD 1.31, 95% CI 0.61 to 2.01) and long-term (SMD 1.67, 95% CI 0.88 to 2.45) and radial shockwave for first step pain in the short term (OR: 1.66, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.76) and long term (OR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.96). We found good agreement to ‘step care’ using custom foot orthoses for general pain in the short term (SMD: 0.41, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.74) and medium term (SMD: 0.55, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.02).

Conclusion

Best practice from a mixed-methods study synthesising systematic review with expert opinion and patient feedback suggests core treatment for people with PHP should include taping, stretching and individualised education. Patients who do not optimally improve may be offered shockwave therapy, followed by custom orthoses.

Early-Application Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis in a Chiropractic Clinic: A Case Report

Objective

The purpose of this report is to describe the successful management of plantar fasciitis (PF) using only extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Clinical Features

A 26-year-old male former athlete presented with insidious right posterior medial foot pain of 3 months' duration. He reported a past history of similar symptoms 12 years previously and was successfully treated with tape, ice, and electric stimulation. For the current episode, he attempted to manage with orthotics, motor nerve stimulation, and ice, and when that was insufficient, he sought care in our clinic. Initial history and evaluation found provocation of pain and functional limitations while wearing dress shoes, running, and playing basketball. Examination found palpatory tenderness at the medial aspect of the distal right calcaneus, and pain with right ankle dorsiflexion. Radiographs were unremarkable. Patient presentation and exam findings supported a working diagnosis of PF.

Intervention and Outcomes

Treatment was applied with a Richard Wolf WellWave low-energy shockwave therapy unit with focused dosage of 4000 shock pulsations at 10-mm depth to the site of pain. Treatment was applied 11 × over 5 weeks, after which the patient reported a complete resolution of pain and resumption of all activities.

Conclusion

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy appeared to be an effective treatment approach for the management of this patient's PF.

Current Concepts of Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis: a Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic foot pain constitutes a large portion of the chronic pain burden in the overall population. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common and most easily identifiable causes of chronic foot pain. The syndrome has been estimated to cause 11 to 15% of foot pain visits, requiring professional care. Moreover, studies have suggested that 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis at some point in their life. Conservative management has been shown to be effective and considered first-line treatment. Minimally invasive treatment options are typically reserved for those who fail conservative management. With the advent of new techniques and improvements in current therapeutic options, there has been an expansion of available minimally invasive treatment options. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive update on the current understanding of minimally invasive treatments of plantar fasciitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review shows that conservative management continues to be the first-line therapy, whereas other treatment options were those who failed conservative management using modern techniques that have shown improving effectiveness, with successful restoration of patient functionality, recovery, and satisfaction. However, a multitude of these minimally invasive treatment options are evolving.

CONCLUSION

While conservative management continues to be the mainstay of treatment for plantar fasciitis, multiple minimally invasive treatment options are emerging with potential effectiveness in reducing pain and improving the function.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus corticosteroid injection for chronic plantar fasciitis: A protocol of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of corticosteroid injection (CSI) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as primary treatment of plantar fasciitis have been debated. This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the therapeutic effects of ultrasound-guided CSI versus medium frequency ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis among Chinese population.

METHODS

This study was a single-center, randomized, and double-blinded trial. The study protocol was approved by local ethics committee board and subsequently registered in Research Registry. Eighty patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive either ESWT (3 times once per week) (n = 40) or CSI treatment (a single 1-mL dose of betamethasone sodium plus 0.5 mL of prilocaine under ultrasound guidance by injection into the plantar fascia) (n = 40). The primary outcome measures were visual analog scale and Foot Function Index scores. Secondary outcome measures included the heel tenderness index score and plantar fascia thickness as obtained by ultrasound examination. All of the assessments were performed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

This is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of CSI versus ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. This study has limited inclusion and exclusion criteria and a well-controlled intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this trial will provide more evidence on which method can better treat plantar fasciitis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry5428).

The effects of shockwave therapy on musculoskeletal conditions based on changes in imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression

BACKGROUND

Shockwave therapy (SWT) is a commonly used intervention for a number of musculoskeletal conditions with varying clinical outcomes. However, the capacity of SWT to influence pathophysiological processes and the morphology of affected tissues remains unclear. The objective of the current review is to evaluate changes in imaging outcomes of musculoskeletal conditions following SWT.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL and SportDiscus was conducted from inception to October 2018. Prospective clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of SWT based on changes in imaging outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Articles were evaluated independently for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias list and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression with a priori determined covariates was conducted for each condition to determine potential predictors of SWT effects.

RESULTS

Sixty-three studies were included, with data from 27 studies available for effect size pooling. Meta-analyses and meta-regression on imaging outcomes were performed for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (n = 11), plantar fasciitis (n = 7) and osteonecrosis of the femoral head (n = 9). There was an overall reduction in the size of measured lesion following SWT (MD 8.44 mm (95%CI -4.30, 12.57), p < 0.001) for calcium deposit diameter, (MD 0.92 mm (95%CI -0.03, 1.81), p = 0.04) for plantar fascia thickness and (MD 4.84% (95%CI -0.06, 9.75), p = 0.05) for lesion size in femoral head osteonecrosis. Meta-regression showed no influence of SWT dosage parameters, however, baseline lesion size was an independent predictor for changes in imaging outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

SWT altered the morphology of musculoskeletal conditions, potentially reflecting changes in underlying pathophysiological processes. The parameters of SWT dosage are not significant predictors of changes in imaging outcomes. Lack of adequate reporting of imaging outcomes limited the conclusions that could be drawn from the current review. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018091140.

Comparison Between Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Local Corticosteroid Injection for Plantar Fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a nonsurgical treatment for plantar fasciitis (PF) that has had satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, local corticosteroid injection (LCI) is often regarded as first-line treatment of PF, but there have been few studies comparing the 2 methods. Therefore, we compared the effect of ESWT and LCI on patients with PF.

METHODS

This was a block randomized controlled study comparing 49 patients treated with ESWT and 47 patients treated with LCI from January 2017 to December 2018 who were followed for 6 months. We evaluated the clinical outcomes in the 2 groups, including average pain, first-step pain, plantar fascia thickness, and Foot Function Index, Chinese version of the PF patients.

RESULTS

All patients had pain relief and function improvement after treatment, whereas the LCI group did not maintain significant clinical improvement at the 3-month follow-up. The patients in the ESWT group had a significantly better clinical outcome with better duration of improvement than the LCI group.

CONCLUSION

For PF patients, both ESWT and LCI resulted in clinical improvement but EWST provided longer relief than LCI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prospective comparative study.

Corticosteroid injection for plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Corticosteroid injection is frequently used for plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis), although there is limited high-quality evidence to support this treatment. Therefore, this study reviewed randomised trials to estimate the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection for plantar heel pain.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials that compared corticosteroid injection to any comparator. Primary outcomes were pain and function, categorised as short (0 to 6 weeks), medium (7 to 12 weeks) or longer term (13 to 52 weeks).

Results

A total of 47 trials (2989 participants) were included. For reducing pain in the short term, corticosteroid injection was more effective than autologous blood injection (SMD -0.56; 95% CI, − 0.86 to − 0.26) and foot orthoses (SMD -0.91; 95% CI, − 1.69 to − 0.13). There were no significant findings in the medium term. In the longer term, corticosteroid injection was less effective than dry needling (SMD 1.45; 95% CI, 0.70 to 2.19) and platelet-rich plasma injection (SMD 0.61; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.06). Notably, corticosteroid injection was found to have similar effectiveness to placebo injection for reducing pain in the short (SMD -0.98; 95% CI, − 2.06, 0.11) and medium terms (SMD -0.86; 95% CI, − 1.90 to 0.19). For improving function, corticosteroid injection was more effective than physical therapy in the short term (SMD -0.69; 95% CI, − 1.31 to − 0.07). When trials considered to have high risk of bias were excluded, there were no significant findings.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this review, corticosteroid injection is more effective than some comparators for the reduction of pain and the improvement of function in people with plantar heel pain. However, corticosteroid injection is not more effective than placebo injection for reducing pain or improving function. Further trials that are of low risk of bias will strengthen this evidence.

Registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42016053216.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12891-019-2749-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparison of efficacy of shock-wave therapy versus corticosteroids in plantar fasciitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroid (CS) injections have been proven to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Shock-wave (SW) therapy is another common treatment of plantar fasciitis, and several meta-analyses have documented its advantages when compared to placebo treatment. Despite this, few studies have focused on comparing the use of CS and SW in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to assess whether SW is superior to CS in managing plantar fasciitis, both in terms of ameliorating pain as well as improving functionality.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify relevant articles that were published in Pubmed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, Clinical Trials.gov and OVID from the databases' inception to July 2018. All studies comparing the efficacy of SW and CS in terms of pain levels and functionality improvement were included. Data on the two primary outcomes were collected and analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

Six studies were included in the current meta-analysis. A significant difference in VAS score (MD = - 0.96, Cl - 1.28 to - 0.63, P < 0.00001, I² = 96%) was noted between the SW group and the CS group. No significant difference was seen in the Mayo CSS or FFI or HFI or 100 Scoring System score at the 3 months follow-up (Chi² = 0.62, I² = 0%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical relevance of the present study is that both SW and CS were effective and successful in relieving pain and improving self-reported function in the treatment of plantar fasciitis at 3 months. Although inter-group differences were not significant, the VAS score was better improved in the SW group, highlighting that shock-wave therapy may be a better alternative for the management of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Clinical effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and ultrasound-guided local corticosteroid injections for plantar fasciitis in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The argument on whether extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) and corticosteroid injections (CSIs) exert an equivalent pain control or which is the better treatment for plantar fasciitis (PF) in adults remains to be resolved. It is important and necessary to conduct a meta-analysis to make a relatively more credible and overall assessment about which treatment method performs better pain control in treatment of PF in adults.

METHODS

From the inception to July 2018, the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for all relevant studies. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on comparing ESWT and CSI therapies in PF cases in adults were included. The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS) reduction, whereas the secondary outcomes included treatment success rate, recurrence rate, function scores, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs involving 658 cases were included in this meta-analysis. In the present study, meta-analysis showed that high-intensity ESWT had superior pain relief and success rates relative to the CSI group within 3 months, but the ESWT with low intensity was slightly inferior to CSI for efficacy within 3 months. In addition, patients with CSI may tend to increase the need for the analgesic and more adverse events may be associated with the ESWT. However, the ESWT and CSI present similar recurrent rate and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis showed that the pain relief and success rates were related to energy intensity levels, with the high-intensity ESWT had the highest probability of being the best treatment within 3 months, followed by CSI, and low-intensity ESWT. More high-quality RCTs with long-term follow-up time are needed to further compare the differences of CSI and ESWT for adults with PF.

Comparative effectiveness of treatment options for plantar heel pain: a systematic review with network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of current treatment options for plantar heel pain (PHP).

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).

DATA SOURCES

Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, Cochrane Database, Web of Science and WHO Clinical Trials Platform were searched from their inception until January 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with PHP investigating common treatments (ie, corticosteroid injection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic exercise, orthoses and/or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)) compared with each other or a no treatment, placebo/sham control.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted and checked for accuracy and completeness by pairs of reviewers. Primary outcomes were pain and function. Comparative treatment effects were analysed by random effects NMA in the short term, medium term and long term. Relative ranking of treatments was assessed by surface under the cumulative ranking probabilities (0-100 scale).

RESULTS

Thirty-one RCTs (total n=2450 patients) were included. There was no evidence of inconsistency detected between direct and indirect treatment comparisons in the networks, but sparse data led to frequently wide CIs. Available evidence does not suggest that any of the commonly used treatments for the management of PHP are better than any other, although corticosteroid injections, alone or in combination with exercise, and ESWT were ranked most likely to be effective for the management of short-term, medium-term and long-term pain or function; placebo/sham/control appeared least likely to be effective; and exercise appeared to only be beneficial for long-term pain or function.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence is equivocal regarding which treatment is the most effective for the management of PHP. Given limited understanding of long-term effects, there is need for large, methodologically robust multicentre RCTs investigating and directly comparing commonly used treatments for the management of PHP.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016046963.

[Prognostic analysis of plantar fasciitis treated by pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock wave versus ultrasound guided intervention]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the medium- and long-term effect of pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock wave versus ultrasound-guided hormone injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

METHODS

The clinical data were collected from patients with plantar fasciitis admitted to PLA General Hospital pain department from September, 2015 to February, 2017. The patients were randomly divided into ultrasound-guided drug injection group and shock wave group. The therapeutic parameters including the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in the first step pain in the morning, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale, and thickness of the plantar fascia were monitored before and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the treatment. The recurrence rate, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups at 6 months after the treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in shock wave group and 38 patients in ultrasound group. The NRS scores in the first step pain in the morning were lowered after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the scores were significantly lower in ultrasound group than in shock wave group at 1 week and 1 month (P<0.01), but significantly higher in ultrasound group than in shock wave group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The AOFAS functional scores were increased in both groups (P<0.05) at 6 months after treatment, was significantly lower in ultrasound group than in shock wave group than group B (90.44∓13.27 vs 75.76∓21.40; P<0.05). The effective rates in shock wave group and ultrasound group were 92.31% and 76.32%, respectively (P<0.05). Recurrence was found in 1 patient (2.56%) in shock wave group and in 8 (21.05%) in ultrasound group (P<0.05). The patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in shock wave group than in ultrasound group (8.13∓2.67 vs 6.63∓3.75, P=0.048).

CONCLUSION

Pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock achieves better medium- and long-term outcomes than ultrasound-guided hormone injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.