Comparative retrospective analysis of magnetic field therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in pain management for heel spur

Abstract

Background

Heel spurs, caused by inflammation and overstretching of the plantar fascia, are a common source of heel pain. Although various conservative and invasive treatments are used, evidence on their effectiveness remains limited.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and magnetic field application on pain levels in heel spur patients.

Methods

The files of 80 patients diagnosed with heel spurs were accessed. Patients with missing demographic information in the files, incomplete Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values, and patients with heel pain complaints for less than 5 months were excluded from the study. A total of 39 patients who met the study criteria were included in the study. While ESWT was applied to 21 of these patients (ESWT group), magnetic field was applied to 18 patients (MA group). All patients were given plantar fascia stretching exercises as a home program. Pain scores before and after treatment were evaluated with VAS.

Results

A significant decrease was found in VAS values after the 5th session and 2 months later in both the ESWT group and the magnetic field group (p < 0.001). On the other hand, neither treatment method was found to be superior to each other (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

It was observed that the pain of the patients decreased in both the early and late periods in both applications.