Low dose radiotherapy for plantar fasciitis. Treatment outcome of 171 patients.

BACKGROUND

Although the effectiveness of low-dose radiotherapy for chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases has been documented in previous studies, patient-reported clinical outcomes are rarely available.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of low-dose radiotherapy on patients with painful plantar fasciitis.

METHOD: From 2002 to 2008, 200 patients older than 65 years of age with painful plantar fasciitis were treated in our hospital. Records from 171 of these patients were available for analysis. All patients were treated with an identical dose of 3Gy using identical equipment and techniques. Response was evaluated with patient-reported questionnaires and clinical visits.

RESULTS

Minimum-term follow-up was 18 months, with mean follow-up at 54 months. Three months after receiving low-dose radiotherapy, 67.3% of patients had no or mild pain, and 57.9% had no or discrete mobility restriction. At a mean of 54 months, 61.4% of patients had no or mild pain and 64.9% of patients had no or discrete mobility restriction; 60.8% of patients reported improved quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose radiotherapy is effective in most patients with painful plantar fasciitis. Due to minimal side effects and low costs, it represents an excellent treatment option compared to conventional therapies or surgery.