Thesis (M.Sc)-Cairo University, 2024.

Bibliography: pages 93-127.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common clinical painful degenerative disorder
associated chronic inflammation that if inadequately treated could led to heel pain and
foot dysfunction; it has a negative impact on individuals’ quality of life and work.
Various therapeutic modalities such as shockwave therapy (ESWT) and low-level laser
therapy (LLLT) are used, but their efficacy is unclear Purpose: To assess the efficacy
of shockwave and laser therapy for plantar fasciitis. Participants and Methods: A
randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients with chronic planter
fasciitis, plus calcaneal spur, their ages range is 40-60 years old. They were randomly
divided into four equal groups. Group A received ( ESWT and LLLT) , Group B
received ESWT) , Group C received (LLLT) and all four groups received ice massage
and streaching exercise all groups schedule was twice a week for three weeks. All
participants were evaluated before and after the treatment sessions by visual analogue
scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity, Windlass test to assess any abnormalities in planter
fascia flexibility and foot functional index (FFI) for measure the impact of foot
pathology on function in terms of pain, disability and activity restriction. Results: All
groups showed significant reductions in pain and FFI scores (p<0.001). there was
significant difference between all groups. Group A had the highest improvement, while
Group D had the lowest. Group A also showed significant differences compared to
Groups B, C, and D (p<0.001), but no differences were observed among Groups B, C,
and D (p>0.05).there was significant difference in pain and FFI score between group A
and B, A and C, A and D, B and C ,B and D. Significant changes in plantar fascia
abnormalities were seen in Group A and Group B (p<0.01), but not in Group C and
Group D (p>0.05). Conclusion: Shockwave unlike laser alone or in combination with
stretching exercise and ice massage, were effective in reducing foot pain and improving
foot function in plantar fasciitis patients. Shockwave showed the highest efficacy.
Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up is needed for
confirmation.

تم تقسيم 80 مريضًا عشوائيا إلى أربع مجاميع: تلقت المجموعة أ علاج الموجات التصادمية والليزر ، وتلقت المجموعة ب علاج الموجات التصادمية فقط، وتلقت المجموعة ج الليزر فقط، وكانت المجموعة د مجموعة الضابطه . تم تقييم الألم باستخدام مقياس المدى البصري، ووظيفة القدم باستخدام فهرس وظيفة القدم، وتم تقييم التغيرات في صفاق الاخمص باستخدام الأشعة السينية. علاج الموجات التصادمية على عكس علاج الليزر، سواء بمفردهما أو بالاشتراك مع ممارسة التمارين الاستطالة وتدليك الثلج،أظهر كلاهما فاعليه في تقليل ألم القدم وتحسين وظيفة القدم في مرضى التهاب صفاق الاخمص. علاج الموجات التصادمية أظهر أعلى فعالية. يُنصح بإجراء مزيد من البحوث بحجم عينات أكبر ومتابعة أطول للتأكد.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.