Ludger Gerdesmeyer, Carol Frey, Johannes Vester, Markus Maier, Lowell Weil, Jr, Lowell Weil, Sr, Martin Russlies, John Stienstra, Barry Scurran, Keith Fedder, Peter Diehl, Heinz Lohrer, Mark Henne and Hans Gollwitzer.

Three treatments of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy were compared to placebo in 245 patients with long-standing plantar fasciitis. Assessments were made before treatment, after 12 weeks and after 12 months. Assessments were made using heel pain at first steps in the morning, during daily activity and during standardized pressure force. The Roles and Maudsley score and patients and assessors judgement of effectiveness were also used.

Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy resulted in an overall treatment success rate of 61% compared to only 42% in the placebo group following 12 weeks. This difference was even more marked at the one year follow up.

The authors conclude that Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy reduces pain, and improves function and quality of life when compared against the placebo group in patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine 36:2100-2109 (2008)