Is Ultrasound Shockwave Therapy beneficial in treating Plantar Fasciitis?
Date First Published:
July 14, 2006
Last Updated:
December 17, 2007
Report by:
Dr A. Sattout, Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency Medicine (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Three-Part Question:
[1] is Ultrasound Shockwave Therpapy more beneficial than [2] conservative or medical treatment for [3]Plantar Fasciitis?
Clinical Scenario:
A 40 year old female presented with inferior heel pain after jogging. She is otherwise fit and well, and a keen jogger. A similar episode had occured to her few weeks prior to this presentation and it resolved by rest and NSAIDs. A diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis was established.
Which treatment modality is best for this condition in an Accident & Emergency setting:a conservative approach (rest/physiotherapy) with NSAIDs or the use of Ultrasound Shockwave Therapy?
Which treatment modality is best for this condition in an Accident & Emergency setting:a conservative approach (rest/physiotherapy) with NSAIDs or the use of Ultrasound Shockwave Therapy?
Search Strategy:
Pubmed
Medline
Medline
Search Details:
[Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Pain] and Ultarsound Shockwave Therapy.
Outcome:
11 papers were identified.
0 papers were relevant to the three part question.
0 papers were relevant to the three part question.
Author Commentary:
No clinical evidence is available to prove the benefit of using Ultrasound Shockwave Therapy over conservative therapy.
Bottom Line:
More research is required to confirm a possible advantage.