Skip to content

RCT Comparing ESWT With PRP for Plantar Fasciitis in High Demand Cohort

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy With Platelet Rich Plasma Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in a High Demand Cohort With Resistant Plantar Fasciitis

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02668510
Enrollment
0
Registered
2016-01-29
Start date
2016-01-31
Completion date
2023-12-11
Last updated
2025-09-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar

Keywords

Heel Pain, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ESWT, shock wave, Soldiers, Platelet rich plasma, PRP, Autologous conditioned plasma, Military

Brief summary

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in a High Demand Cohort with Resistant Plantar Fasciitis

Detailed description

The purpose of this proposal is to perform a high-quality pilot study testing the efficacy of ESWT in combination with PRP for the management of resistant plantar fasciitis. We endeavor to determine if the pilot evidence supports a large, randomized study; and to conduct a power analysis for the follow-on study. The proposed pilot study will be a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing pain and functionality at the 3 week, 6 week, 12 week and 6 month marks between extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy with placebo injection of normal saline.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALplatelet rich plasma

immediately following shockwave therapy the injection of PRP derived from subjects own blood using Arthex double syringe system will be injected at the origin of the plantar fascia at the calcaneous

DRUGNormal saline

placebo injection of normal saline immediately following shockwave therapy

Sponsors

Edna Rath
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18 years or older * Patients that are already selected for ESWT for the treatment of resistant plantar fasciitis as part of clinical care under the doctor-patient relationship * X-ray imaging studies (Plain radiographs) documenting no additional sources for heel pain within 12 months(all x-rays were conducted as part of standard of care and no radiation will be specific to the research study) * Active Duty Soldier as they are a high demand cohort with increased frequency of plantar fasciitis compared to the general population as outlined by Scher et al. * Previously tried conservative management meeting referral to Orthopaedics: Pain medications, taping, orthoses, night splinting or physical therapy * Body Mass Index (BMI) \<40kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

* • History of trauma\* or previous injury to heel requiring operative intervention * All Soldiers pending medical board evaluation or punitive action * History of connective tissue disorder (e.g., Marfan's Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) * Leaving the geographical area permanently or for extended periods of time forcing loss to follow up * Treatment for plantar fasciitis with injection within the last 6 months * Surgical indication or internal derangement of the foot * Chronic pain conditions * Pregnancy * Tarsal tunnel syndrome * Baxter's neuritis * Rigid flat foot * Active infection of the Foot overlying the injection area * Use of immunomodulators, immunosuppressives, or chemotherapeutic agents * Allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the proposed treatment medications * Any other clinically significant acute or chronic medical conditions (e.g., bleeding disorder) that, in the judgment of the Investigator, would preclude the use of a PRP or that could compromise patient safety, limit the patient's ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study. * Trauma for this research study is defined as a specific event or mechanism of injury, such as a direct blow or twisting injury of the foot that initiated the onset of heel pain. The insidious onset of heel pain with prolonged running or other physical activity is not defined as a traumatic event.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Visual analog scale (VAS)3, 6, 12, 24 weeksDecreased first step pain over time with single treatment of ESWT & PRP as measured by the VAS

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Functional Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)3, 6, 12, 24 weeksfunctionality scale
Functional Ankle Ability Measure extended sports scale3, 6, 12, 24 weekssports subscale for sport related activity
return to activity3, 6, 12, 24 weeksachieving minimal clinical important difference (MCID) on FAAM sport scale
repeat treatment threshold3, 6, 12, 24 weeksDecreased need for repeat ESWT as proven by achieving MCID on FAAM

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026