THE EFFECTS OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY, JOINT MOBILIZATIONS AND EXERCISE ON PAIN, FUNCTION, RANGE OF MOTION, JOINT BIOMECHANICS AND STRENGTH IN PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) on pain, function, mobility, biomechanics, and strength in patients with plantar fasciitis. Ninety-seven subjects randomly assigned to either ECSWT alone or combined with joint mobilizations or exercise were examined before and three months after treatment. There was significant improvement in the P4 Pain Scale (p=.0001) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (p=.0001) scores; ankle mobility for plantarflexion (p=.001) and dorsiflexion (p=.0001) and; first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) flexion (p=.002) and extension (p=.004). There was significant improvement in joint biomechanics within groups over time and between groups with improvement noted in the talocrural anterior and posterior glide (p=.0001), subtalar medial and lateral glide (p=.0001), and first MTP anterior and posterior glide (p=.001)