Comparison of intralesional steroid and extracorporal shockwave therapy for relief of pain in plantar fasciitis

Objective: To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and intralesional corticosteroid injection in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 63 consecutive patients of plantar fasciitis with heel pain of greater than 6 months at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from July 1, to Dec 31, 2018. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups; 63 patients in Group A were treated with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and 63 patients in group B were treated with intra-lesional steroid injection. The outcome was assessed in terms of relief of pain and functional outcome, according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Pain relief was achieved in 51 of 63(81%) patients in the ESWT group and 48 of 63(76.2%) in the corticosteroid injection group after 6 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Corticosteroid injection and extracorporeal shockwave therapy were equally effective treatment modalities for plantar fasciitis.