A global approach for plantar fasciitis with extracorporeal shockwaves treatment

Abstract

Extracorporeal Shockwaves Treatment is considered an effective therapeutic option for plantar fasciitis, but the standard application in the medial insertion of the plantar fascia on the calcaneus has provided ambiguous evidences. In this case, a 63-year man with plantar fasciitis was treated in a 3-session program and Foot and Ankle Outcome Scale and Foot Functional Index questionnaires were chosen for the clinical outcome evaluation. The therapy was focused on the active trigger or myofascial points of the leg, thigh and pelvis in order to return the correct equilibrium of the myofascial system of the whole limb. The patient has already reported an improvement after the second session (FAOS: 76 vs 33, FFI: 85%) which was confirmed in the third one and in the 1-month follow up (FAOS: 79, FFI: 6%) Results suggest that plantar fasciitis may be due to proximal rigidity or tension of the fascia and a global approach using ESWT may have a similar or better outcome respect to the standard application.

A Closer Look at the Cellular and Molecular Components of the Deep/Muscular Fasciae

“…The type of collagen fibers present in the deep fasciae can change depending on various hormonal, mechanical and chemical inputs. Considered an effective therapeutic option for plantar fasciitis and myofascial disorders [ 64 ], extracorporeal shockwave treatment enhances fibroblast proliferation and differentiation by activating gene expression for transforming growth factor β1 and collagen types I and III [ 65 ]. Pavan et al [ 66 ] demonstrated that aging increases the amount of type I collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the epimysial fascia, and thus increase its stiffness.…”

Effects of adjuvant low‐dye Kinesio taping, adjuvant sham taping, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy alone in plantar fasciitis: A randomised double‐blind controlled trial

“…The evaluations of the aforementioned study were made at the baseline and at the end of the treatment, and there was a relatively short follow‐up period. In this study, the fact that ESWT plus low‐dye KT treatment achieved more effective outcomes than ESWT at 4 weeks after the treatment ended shows the effectiveness of low‐dye KT application when added to the ESWT treatment, which is an accepted therapy 19‐22 . Frassanito et al 23 applied ESWT plus KT to one group and ESWT to the other group by dividing patients with calcific tendinopathy in the shoulder.…”

“…angiogenesis-related markers. 22,25 ESWT therapy was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration in 2000 to treat PF. 24 In this study, in accordance with the literature, a decrease in pain and improvement in foot function scale were observed in all groups after ESWT.…”

Efectividad de la punción seca en el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar relacionada con la presencia de puntos gatillo miofasciales: revisión narrativa

“…Alrededor de un 90 % de los pacientes son tratados con tratamientos conservadores como primera opción 8 . Los tratamientos conservadores más comunes son: reposo, ejercicios, estiramientos o medicación antinflamatoria 3,8 . Si en un plazo de unos 6 meses los síntomas no mejoran, entonces se propondría la intervención quirúrgica 4 .…”