--- title: "Plantar faciitis-early radial soundwave | Sutter Health" description: "Radial shockwave tx can be implemented after initial tx options have failed. Early tx is more likely to maintain pts' activity level." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/plantar-faciitis-early-radial-soundwave-1055312363" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Plantar faciitis-early radial soundwave # Treatment of plantar fasciitis with radial soundwave "early" is better than after 6 months: a pilot study. Saxena A, Hong BK, Yun AS, Maffulli N, & Gerdesmeyer L. _J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):950-953. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.020._ 2017-09-01 ## Abstract Extracorporeal shock wave therapy/radial soundwave therapy has been predominantly used for chronic or recalcitrant plantar fasciitis with strong scientific evidence of reliable outcomes. Most of the studies included patients with plantar fasciitis with symptoms >6 months in duration. Only 2 known studies have investigated acute plantar fasciitis, which is <6 weeks in duration. They both found suboptimal results for the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated radial soundwave therapy for the subacute stage or early stage of plantar fasciitis. Data were prospectively collected from 28 eligible patients who underwent radial soundwave therapy (RSWT) during a 9-month period in 2014. Of the 28 subjects, 14 were enrolled in the "early group" with a symptom duration of <3 months and 14 in the "standard/control" group with a symptom duration of >6 months. The pretreatment and posttreatment visual analog scale scores, Roles-Maudlsey scores, and activity level were recorded and compared. The early implementation of RSWT yielded comparable outcomes when compared with the standard group. RSWT is a valid treatment modality that can be implemented soon after the initial treatment options or first-phase treatment options have failed. Early treatment is more likely to allow for maintenance of patients' activity level. Also, waiting 6 months to treat plantar fasciitis with RSWT results in delays and inferior results. Early treatment is better for active and athletic patients. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28842103) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Modified Valenti arthroplasty in running and jumping athletes with hallux limitus/rigidus: analysis of one hundred procedures.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/valenti-arthroplasty-in-athletes-with-hallux-limitus-rigidus-1055312357) Saxena A, Valerio DL, Behan SA, Hofer D. J Foot Ankle Surg. pii: S1067-2516(18)30285-0. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.07.009. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 Dec 12 - Publication ### [Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement: 15-year follow-up.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/scandinavian-total-ankle-replacement-15-year-follow-up-1055312490) Palanca A, Mann RA, Mann JA, Haskell A. Foot Ankle Int. 39(2):135-142. doi: 10.1177/1071100717738747. 2018 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Navicular stress fracture outcomes in athletes: analysis of 62 injuries.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/navicular-stress-fracture-outcomes-in-athletes-1055312351) Saxena A, Behan SA, Valerio DL, Frosch DL. J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):943-948. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.009. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [External auditory exostoses: evaluation and treatment.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/external-auditory-exostoses-evaluation-treatment-1055312964) Hetzler DG. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 139(3):482; author reply 482. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.629. 2008 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains: a proposed treatment.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/vibration-pressure-wave-tx-calf-strains-1055312323) Saxena A, St Louis M, Fournier M. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 3(2):60-2. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2013.3.2.060. Print 2013 Apr. 2013 Jul 09 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/plantar-faciitis-early-radial-soundwave-1055312363#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Plantar faciitis-early radial soundwave"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/plantar-faciitis-early-radial-soundwave-1055312363#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Treatment of plantar fasciitis with radial soundwave \"early\" is better than after 6 months: a pilot study.","headline":"Plantar faciitis-early radial soundwave","abstract":"Extracorporeal shock wave therapy/radial soundwave therapy has been predominantly used for chronic or recalcitrant plantar fasciitis with strong scientific evidence of reliable outcomes. Most of the studies included patients with plantar fasciitis with symptoms >6 months in duration. Only 2 known studies have investigated acute plantar fasciitis, which is \u003c6 weeks in duration. They both found suboptimal results for the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated radial soundwave therapy for the subacute stage or early stage of plantar fasciitis. Data were prospectively collected from 28 eligible patients who underwent radial soundwave therapy (RSWT) during a 9-month period in 2014. Of the 28 subjects, 14 were enrolled in the \"early group\" with a symptom duration of \u003c3 months and 14 in the \"standard/control\" group with a symptom duration of >6 months. The pretreatment and posttreatment visual analog scale scores, Roles-Maudlsey scores, and activity level were recorded and compared. The early implementation of RSWT yielded comparable outcomes when compared with the standard group. RSWT is a valid treatment modality that can be implemented soon after the initial treatment options or first-phase treatment options have failed. Early treatment is more likely to allow for maintenance of patients' activity level. Also, waiting 6 months to treat plantar fasciitis with RSWT results in delays and inferior results. Early treatment is better for active and athletic patients.","description":"Radial shockwave tx can be implemented after initial tx options have failed. 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