Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: results of a confirmatory randomized placebo-controlled multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis that can be administered to outpatients without anesthesia but has not yet been evaluated in controlled trials. HYPOTHESIS: There is no difference in effectiveness between radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Three interventions of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.16 mJ/mm(2); 2000 impulses) compared with placebo were studied in 245 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Primary endpoints were changes in visual analog scale composite score from baseline to 12 weeks' follow-up, overall success rates, and success rates of the single visual analog scale scores (heel pain at first steps in the morning, during daily activities, during standardized pressure force). Secondary endpoints were single changes in visual analog scale scores, success rates, Roles and Maudsley score, SF-36, and patients' and investigators' global judgment of effectiveness 12 weeks and 12 months after extracorporeal shock wave therapy. RESULTS: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy proved significantly superior to placebo with a reduction of the visual analog scale composite score of 72.1% compared with 44.7% (P = .0220), and an overall success rate of 61.0% compared with 42.2% in the placebo group (P = .0020) at 12 weeks. Superiority was even more pronounced at 12 months, and all secondary outcome measures supported radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy to be significantly superior to placebo (P < .025, 1-sided). No relevant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy significantly improves pain, function, and quality of life compared with placebo in patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

Large displacement distal chevron osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus deformity.

In order to assess outcomes and complications, a retrospective study of 38 bunionectomy cases with large displacement distal chevron osteotomy (greater than or equal to 40% lateral translation) for hallux valgus was performed. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 130 months (average, 31 months). Subjective analysis consisting of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale was performed. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic intermetatarsal (IM) angles and hallux abductus angles were measured and compared. The average postoperative AOFAS score was 93.5. The average preoperative IM angle was 15.03 degrees (range 8 degrees-24 degrees) and the average postoperative IM angle was 4.84 degrees (range, -1 degree-11 degrees). The average preoperative hallux abductus angle was 29.39 degrees (range, 16 degrees-53 degrees) compared to the average postoperative hallux abductus angle of 11.39 degrees (range, 2 degrees-28 degrees). It was found that an average lateral translation of 9.8 mm was able to achieve a relative change of the IM angle of 10 degrees. Evidence is presented that supports the fact that large displacement distal chevron osteotomies can be safely performed for the correction of metatarsus primus varus greater than 15 degrees associated with hallux valgus.