Shockwave Therapy vs. Corticosteroid Injections for Plantar Fasciitis: Which Works Better?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, often making walking and daily activities difficult. Many people turn to treatments like corticosteroid injections for quick pain relief or shockwave therapy (ESWT) for long-term healing. But which one is better?

A randomized clinical trial compared these two treatments to see which one provided more effective pain relief and functional improvement.

Key Findings:

• Both treatments helped with pain and function.

  • Patients who received either shockwave therapy or a single corticosteroid injection saw significant reductions in heel pain over 8 weeks.

  • Both groups also showed improved foot function and mobility.

• Shockwave therapy showed slightly better long-term benefits.

  • Patients in the shockwave therapy group reported greater pain relief in the mornings and improved mobility compared to those who had injections.

  • More patients were satisfied with ESWT (55% vs. 30% for injections).

• Corticosteroid injections worked faster but had limitations.

  • While injections provided quick pain relief, the benefits didn’t last as long as ESWT.

  • Steroid injections come with potential risks, like plantar fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy, especially with repeated use.

What This Means for You:

• If you need fast pain relief, a corticosteroid injection may be a good option.

• If you want longer-lasting improvements and a non-invasive approach, shockwave therapy is the better choice.

• Shockwave therapy is also safer and has fewer side effects compared to repeated steroid injections.

How This Study Was Done:

• 40 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were split into two groups.

• One group received 5 sessions of radial ESWT over several weeks.

• The other group received a single corticosteroid injection.

• Researchers tracked their pain levels and foot function over 8 weeks.

Final Takeaway:

Both treatments help with pain and function, but shockwave therapy may be the better long-term solution for plantar fasciitis. It offers lasting pain relief, better function, and higher patient satisfaction with fewer risks.