The use of combined therapy: super inductive stimulation and radial shock wave in the treatment of plantar tendon pain – evaluation of treatment results

Abstract

Introduction: The condition commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal complaint. However, this term is inaccurate, as the dysfunction is not inflammatory in nature; a more appropriate term is “plantar fasciopathy”. It affects both athletes and individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles.

Materials and methods: The study involved 15 patients with complaints of pain in the plantar tendon area. It was conducted between July and December 2023 at a private physiotherapy office in Kołobrzeg. The study included patients of both sexes, of varying ages and levels of physical activity, all reporting heel pain while walking. The treatment consisted of combination therapy consisting of radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) and super inductive stimulation (SIS).

Results: In 11 patients, the pain completely subsided after therapy, and in 4 patients, it was significantly reduced and caused minimal disruption to daily mobility.

Conclusions: Combination therapy proved highly effective in treating plantar tendon pain. The presence or absence of gait disturbance or gender did not affect the therapy’s effectiveness. When planning treatment, the presence and intensity of pain in the affected area should be considered.