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Retrospective evaluation of radiotherapy in plantar fasciitis

Radiotherapy Department, Centre of Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Gliwice Branch, ul. Wybrzee AK 15, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Correspondence: Dr Leszek Miszczyk, Radiotherapy Department, Centre of Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Gliwice Branch, ul. Wybrzee AK 15, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland. E-mail: leszek{at}io.gliwice.pl

Plantar fasciitis is a common painful syndrome that is usually treated by irradiation with a fraction dose (fd) of 1 Gy up to a total dose (TD) of 6 Gy according to clinical experience. By analysing our experiences with numerous former patients, we have attempted to find the relationship between dose and effect. To evaluate the effectiveness of radiotherapy and assess the impact of fd and TD in plantar fasciitis radiotherapy, we assessed 1624 irradiations (856 patients) performed using a fd of 1–3 Gy and a TD of 1–45 Gy. Analysis was carried out on the 623 irradiations (327 patients) for which complete follow-up data were available. The mean follow-up period was 74 months. The following parameters were evaluated: pain relief level; period of anaesthetic effect preservation after treatment; presence of pain and the timing of its appearance; and the intake of analgesic drugs at the last follow-up. After treatment, 48% of the patients reported a lack of pain, 21% reported pain relief greater than 50% and 17% reported pain relief less than 50%. The mean pain relief duration was 72 months. The last follow-up found that pain at rest afflicted 25% of the patients, and pain during walking afflicted 32%. A dose–effect relationship was not found. In conclusion, radiotherapy is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. A fd of 1.5 Gy and TD of 9 Gy should probably not be exceeded.