Objective To determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared with placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Design Randomised, blinded, multicentre trial with parallel group design. Setting Nine hospitals and one outpatient clinic in Germany. Participants 272 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis recalcitrant to conservative therapy for at least six months: 135 patients were allocated extracorporeal shock wave therapy and 137 were allocated placebo. Main outcome measures Primary end point was the success rate 12 weeks after intervention based on the Roles and Maudsley score. Secondary end points encompassed subjective pain ratings and walking ability up to a year after the last intervention. Results The primary end point could be assessed in 94% (n=256) of patients. The success rate 12 weeks after intervention was 34% (n=43) in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and 30% (n=39) in the placebo group (95% confidence interval − 8.0% to 15.1%). No difference was found in the secondary end points. Few side effects were reported. Conclusions Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is ineffective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment as applied is superior to sham treatment for tennis elbow.

Three treatments with 2100 impulses of low-energy shock waves were a safe and effective method for treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis in long-distance runners.

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The cementless technique described is useful in cases of severe congenital dislocation of the hip when the cup is implanted at the anatomic level, and implant reduction is not possible despite thorough soft-tissue release or not advisable because of excessive limb lengthening. A reconstruction of the original joint center and good mid-term results are demonstrated.