Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis

If you’re suffering from plantar fascia we understand the sharp stabbing pain in your heel can be unbearable especially with those first few steps in the morning.

As the largest ligament in the human body plantar fascia can be caused by a few different variables, such as exercising on hard surfaces, exercising with a tight calf or heel, overstretching the sole of your foot during exercise, doing more walking, running or standing up than usual, wearing shoes with poor cushioning or support or if you are very overweight. These variables can cause micro-tears in the ligament creating severe pain.

Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a common way of managing this very painful and debilitating condition, and provide you with an easier pain-free day.

What is the plantar fascia?

The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue structure extending over the underside of the foot. Its function is to help support the arch of the bottom of the foot.

The attachment at the heel is to the medial calcaneus (heel bone) and extending forward to the heads of the metatarsal bones.

The fibres of the plantar fascia are orientated along the length of its structure, which is an important aspect to consider when understanding the mechanics of how the foot works and how plantar fasciitis occurs.

The plantar fascia can be split into 3 portions, which are the medial portion, central (largest and most prominent), and lateral portions.

An interesting point is that the plantar fascia in younger people has a direct fascial connection with the Achilles tendon, this becomes thinner with age and reduces to have no communicating fibres in more senior people.

The Achilles and plantar fascia also have separate insertion points directly into the calcaneus.

The plantar fascia supports about 14% of the total load in each foot and is heavily involved with the complex biomechanical process that occurs to allow normal gait to occur.

Most of the stress of force transmission occurs at the attachment to the calcaneus, cadaver studies show that on maximal loading the force focuses on this area.

During weight-bearing, the plantar fascia acts like a spring to conserve and dissipate energy. During walking gait, the increased tension in the plantar fascia, due to the dorsi-flexion of the toes, increases the foot stiffness and allows for excellent propulsion of force through the foot.

This is known as the windlass mechanism (Hicks 1954), which helps in creating foot stiffness by drawing the arch upwards and making the long axis of the foot shorter and stiffer. The theory uses the analogy of tightening the windlass of a drum to explain the complex series of events that occur in response to force application on the plantar fascia due to its anatomical orientation.

The windlass effect is heightened by a supinatory effect caused by the combined effects of the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, peroneus longus and achilles tendon, further adding to the stiffness of the foot during this propulsive phase of the gait cycle.

The function of the foot is 3 fold. The foot is able to stiffen in response to force placed upon it, to adapt to uneven terrain, and to absorb shock. The orientation and attachments of the plantar fascia allow it to be an integral part of the functioning of the foot and low it to be so accommodating during gait and weight-bearing.

What is plantar fasciitis and heel pain?

Plantar fasciitis is the abnormal inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the underside of the foot. The insertion point to the calcaneus is the main focus of this. The main causes of mechanical plantar fasciitis are related to poor control of the foot during weight-bearing.

Prolonged overpronation can result in irritation to the plantar fascia. People suffering from overpronation issues generally speaking have a much more mobile foot type, which also tends to have a lower medial longitudinal arch. However, that is not to say that the pes cavus or high arched foot type will not pronate.

The tibialis posterior muscle has been shown to be heavily involved with the control of arch height during weight-bearing. The muscle is loaded eccentrically and needs to be strong and neurally geared towards controlling the effects of load on the arch height. Exercises are often directed at this muscle to help activate it more and correct faulty firing patterns.

The net effect of this is the reduction of stress placed on the plantar fascia during weight-bearing, with a proper functioning muscle. Controlling pronation is therefore key in this particular foot type.

Plantar fasciitis may also occur in the high arched foot and results from the inability to dissipate force. The calcaneus and metatarsal heads are much closer together, the tarsal bones have less intra-osseous mobility and the first ray is often held in plantar flexion, which leads to a foot which is great at force transmission but exceptionally poor at shock absorbing.

Generally, the solution to this is to try and increase the flexibility in the foot in relation to creating other structures that are able to absorb shock.

What are other treatments available for plantar fasciitis and heel pain?

There is little scientific evidence about the types of treatments that help plantar fasciitis. However, even though some other treatments aren’t as effective, new research into shockwave and its applications has been very positive and gives sufferers of this painful condition hope. Prevention methods are now as important as healing tips. Other possible treatments for plantar fasciitis include;

1. Orthotics
2. Taping
3. Corrective exercises
4. Ice Massage
5. Acupuncture
6. Stretching
7. Night Splinting
8. Self Massage
9. Rest
10. Heel Pads
11. Steroid Injections
12. Surgical Release
13. Pain killers
14. Shockwave
15. Laser
16. Ultrasound

We can also provide you with some helpful tips for your heel pain.

How is shockwave therapy applied in plantar fasciitis?

Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis and heel pain is applied following a set protocol. The clinician will carry out a thorough case history taking which isolates the area that is painful and begins to understand the clinical history behind the condition.

It is important to make sure that the condition being treated is actually a plantar fasciitis and heel pain and is therefore treatable with shockwave therapy.

During the examination period, a tender point where the pain is maximal will be located, upon which a water-based medium will be applied.

This aids the transmission of the impulses into the desired area. The probe will then be placed over the desired area and then treatment for your plantar fasciitis and heel pain will begin. At first, the clinician will ensure the discomfort is kept to a minimum. After a while, as the impulses increase little pain is felt.

Although, more often than not there is some pain felt over the area of application. After treatment, you should feel very little pain and this may last for a few days. After then an aching sensation can occur.

After subsequent treatments, there will be a definite improvement in symptoms leading to a reduction in the original pain felt.

How long will Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis take to work?

Generally, most applications of shockwave for plantar fasciitis and heel pain and most conditions will resolve within 3-4 sessions of 30 minutes (roughly). This obviously can depend on the exact presentation of the condition. Making sure you see someone quickly to have the condition diagnosed can reduce the number of sessions needed.

It is vital that you continue to work with a physical therapist to maintain the exercise regime you should already be carrying out for plantar fasciitis and heel pain, prior to consulting for shockwave treatment. This will involve balancing exercises, strength exercises, and a good eccentric loading programme depending on your stage of plantar fasciitis and heel pain.

What is the evidence for Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis?

Although there has been little positive scientific for treatments that are beneficial for plantar fasciitis there does seem to be a growing volume of literature, all of which are drawing the same conclusions. The most effective non-operative treatment for plantar fasciitis appears to be shockwave therapy (Aqil 2013, Cutts 2012)

Saxena 2012 compared shockwave therapy to surgery and agreed that the outcomes for return to sport and continuation of sport whilst undergoing treatment were in favour of shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis. Although, Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy (operations) were superior in outcomes but with the associated risks.

Athletes were able to have shockwave therapy and maintain playing their chosen sport, whilst the surgical group had to stop playing sport.

Vahdatpour 2012 produced a study, which showed the morphological changes associated with shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis. Most studies also show that, alone, shockwave therapy can reduce significant pain and suffering associated with plantar fasciitis but it is clear that biomechanical factors need to be addressed and maintained to allow optimal functioning of the foot during weight-bearing.

How long will the treatment last for?

If everything goes to plan with your shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis and heel pain then the treatment should make a significant contribution to reducing the pain and improving the function of your plantar fasciitis and heel pain. In most cases, the shockwave will get rid of it altogether.

With some tendon surgery, there is a 75% success rate at 18 months, with shockwave for the same condition it has been shown that up to 80% of patients who have received the Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis at 18 months have a good to excellent result. Shockwave is better than surgery for certain tendinopathy and more research is being done with this in mind.

Conclusion

Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a safe and effective form of treatment in the management of plantar fasciitis. The results of which are comparable to surgery but without the necessary recovery period, morbidity, and reduced participation in a sport that can often accompany surgery.

For more information about Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis

This article was written by our team of specialist therapists at Perfect Balance Clinic. If you would like more specific advice about how our team can help you with this condition or symptoms you may be having, please complete the contact form below and one of the team will get back to you shortly.