Kontakt 2016, 18(1):e36-e41 | DOI: 10.1016/j.kontakt.2016.02.004

Influence of two conservative treatment methods on foot health status in men with chronic calcaneal spur: A randomized controlled studySocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Paweł Lizis^a,*, Zuzana Hudáková^b

^a Holy Cross College, Department of Education and Health Protection in Kielce, Poland

^b Catholic University, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Ružomberok, Slovak Republic

Objective: This study compared the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with ultrasound therapy (US - control group) in preventing social limitations and the improvement of foot health status (FHS) in men with a chronic calcaneal spur (CS).

Material and methods: Forty men were randomly allocated and then received ESWT or US therapy. Two people from the US group ignored the call for study 3 months later, so they were excluded. Therefore, 38 men were analyzed. The ESWT group received 5 treatments once a week, and sessions took place at weekly intervals. Meanwhile, the US group received 10 treatments, 3 times per week. The FHS was assessed using a foot health status questionnaire (FHSQ). The scores were recorded and compared within the groups and between the groups pre treatment, immediately post treatment, and 3 months post treatment.

Results: We found a significant improvement of FHS and reduction of social limitations immediately post treatment (up to 3 months post treatment in patients with chronic CS).

Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that patients with CS can obtain greater significant health benefits of the foot care when treated by ESWT, rather than by US.

Keywords: Prevention of social limits; Foot health status; Calcaneal spur; Extracorporeal shock wave therapy; Ultrasound

Received: January 7, 2016; Revised: February 2, 2016; Accepted: February 12, 2016; Published: March 29, 2016  Show citation