Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of shockwave therapy with ultrasound and sham taping in patients with plantar fasciitis.
Methodology: This randomized control trial was done at Syed Medical Complex, Sialkot, Pakistan from 1st July to 31st July 2018. A total of 82 patients of planter fasciitis were divided into two groups, treatment and control group. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. Treatment group received shockwave therapy while the control group received ultrasound and sham taping. There were no drop outs thorough out study. The pain intensity was measured with visual analog scale (VAS) and patient specific functional scale (PSFS). Independent sample t test was used between group for comparison and p≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Mean pain score before treatment of shockwave therapy group was 5.34±0.56 on VAS and 5.44±0.67 in ultrasound group. At end of last session, pain in shockwave therapy group was 1.54±0.67 while at ultrasound group was 2.46±0.64 (p=0.001). Functional scale mean before treatment of shockwave therapy group was 19.24±3.42 while in US and taping was and 16.29±3.84. After the last treatment session PSFS mean was 11.54±3.66 in ultrasound group while in shockwave therapy group was 4.98±2.18 (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Pain decreased and functional activity improved remarkably of patients who received shockwave therapy as compared to those who received ultrasound and sham taping.

Key words: Plantar fasciitis, shockwave, ultrasound.