Comparison of the Effectiveness of Dextrose Prolotherapy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in Plantar Fasciitis
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Dextrose Prolotherapy, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Plantar Fasciitis. Basic parameters: 18 years — 75 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Plantar fasciitis is a degeneration of the plantar aponeurosis and is the most common cause of heel pain (11-15%). Although seen in both sexes, plantar fasciitis is more common in women, usually unilateral and bilateral in 30% of cases . The most widely accepted view regarding the formation of plantar fasciitis is that it is a degenerative process caused by myxoid degeneration, microtears, collagen necrosis, and angiofibroblastic hyperplasia, resulting from repetitive microtrauma to the plantar fascia, particularly at the calcaneal insertion site. It is not inflammatory . The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of prolotherapy, a regenerative treatment, and ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Detailed description
Plantar fasciitis is known as the most common cause of heel pain in adults. While its incidence increases between the ages of 40 and 60, it is more common in runners, those who work in positions requiring prolonged standing, overweight individuals, and those with certain biomechanical foot problems. Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can be easily made through history and physical examination. Conservative methods are the first line of treatment. Local injections and ESWT are used in patients who fail to improve despite conservative treatment. ESWT and Prolotherapy are treatment methods that induce regeneration by creating a controlled inflammation. This prospective study aims to compare the effectiveness of ESWT and Prolotherapy, which have similar mechanisms of action, in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and to identify the more effective method.
Interventions
- Procedure Dextrose Prolotherapy
Participants in this group will receive dextrose prolotherapy twice, at two-week intervals. A 5 mL syringe containing 2.5 mL of 30% dextrose, 2 mL isotonic saline, and 0.5 mL 2% lidocaine (final 15% dextrose solution) will be injected into seven points around the plantar fascia origin under aseptic conditions. - Device Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
Participants in this group will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) twice per week for a total of four sessions. The treatment will be applied to the plantar fascia insertion area using a standard clinical shock wave therapy device. Energy level, frequency, and pulse count will be set according to manufacturer recommendations and standard clinical protocols.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in Heel Pain Intensity (VAS Score) [Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Change in Foot Function Index (FFI) Total Score [Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks]
- Change in Roles and Maudsley Score [Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
Ages 18 to 75 years
Both male and female participants
Heel pain localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle for more than 3 months
Morning first-step pain and pain increasing with daily loading
Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Patients presenting to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital
Exclusion criteria
Cardiac pacemaker
Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus
History of inflammatory rheumatic disease
Bleeding disorders
Use of anticoagulant medications other than aspirin
Allergy to dextrose
Previous foot or ankle surgery
Peripheral neuropathy
S1 radiculopathy in the same extremity
Local corticosteroid injection to the plantar fascia within the last 3 months
ESWT applied to the plantar fascia within the last 3 months
Physical therapy applied to the foot/ankle in the last 3 months
Cognitive dysfunction
Active infection at the planned injection site
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Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07233395 · KanuniSSTRH-PF-2025