A comparison of the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and platelet-rich plasma therapy in treatment of plantar fasciitis inflammation

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on the treatment of plantar fasciitis inflammation. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, the patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included. According to their agreement, all patients underwent radiography and foot magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out stress fractures and other bone injuries. Two PRP and ESWT treatment methods were used separately in two groups, and each group was given specific exercises after the treatment. All patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study, and 3, 6, and 12 weeks, and 6 and 12 months after it using visual analog scale (VAS), and their average score was recorded. Findings: A comparison of the mean pain scores in plantar fasciitis inflammation at different time points determined by PRP and ESWT methods with control of two variables of age and gender, showed a significant difference between the two methods (P = 0.007). According to the mean values of the two methods, the pain in PRP method was reduced more than the ESWT method, and the auxiliary variables of age and gender had no effect. Meanwhile, it showed a significant difference between the results of repeated measurements in at least one of these methods (P = 0.006); and based on the mean values of the repeated measurements, the PRP method was that. Conclusion: The study results showed the successful effectiveness of PRP therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis inflammation compared to ESWT method. © 2019, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.