PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - R Cosentino
AU  - P Falsetti
AU  - S Manca
AU  - R De Stefano
AU  - E Frati
AU  - B Frediani
AU  - F Baldi
AU  - E Selvi
AU  - R Marcolongo
TI  - Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave treatment in calcaneal enthesophytosis
AID  - 10.1136/ard.60.11.1064
DP  - 2001 Nov 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 1064--1067
VI  - 60
IP  - 11
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/60/11/1064.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/60/11/1064.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2001 Nov 01; 60
AB  - OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) in calcaneal enthesophytosis.METHODS 60 patients (43 women, 17 men) were examined who had talalgia associated with heel spur. A single blind randomised study was performed in which 30 patients underwent a regular treatment (group 1) and 30 a simulated one (shocks of 0 mJ/mm2 energy were applied) (group 2). Variations in symptoms were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). Variations in the dimension of enthesophytosis were evaluated byx ray examination. Variations in the grade of enthesitis were evaluated by sonography.RESULTS A significant decrease of VAS was seen in group 1. Examination byx ray showed morphological modifications (reduction of the larger diameter >1 mm) of the enthesophytosis in nine (30%) patients. Sonography did not show significant changes in the grade of enthesitis just after the end of the treatment, but a significant reduction was seen after one month. In the control group no significant decrease of VAS was seen. No modification was observed byx ray examination or sonography.CONCLUSION ESWT is safe and improves the symptoms of most patients with a painful heel, it can also structurally modify enthesophytosis, and reduce inflammatory oedema.