AIMS: We aimed to evaluate whether the addition of early extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) to physiotherapy improved outcomes in patients with acute plantar fasciitis. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Eligibility criteria were patients >= 21 years old presenting from April 2017 to November 2019 with untreated plantar fasciitis for < 1 month with no prior physiotherapy. Exclusion criteria included history of plantar fasciitis, calcaneal fractures, chronic steroid use, pregnancy, chronic limb injuries and risks for venous thromboembolism. Patients were randomized using a random number generator into either Group A (ESWT plus physiotherapy) or Group B (physiotherapy only). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were measured at baseline and 3 months. T-tests were performed for statistical significance. RESULTS: 46 patients were eligible for the trial. 10 were lost to follow up. 15 in Group A and 21 in Group B were treated and assessed. Mean age was 51.6. Baseline VAS scores were Group A (5.5 +/- 2.3) and Group B (6.1 +/- 2.1) (p = 0.451). There was no significant difference in 3-month VAS scores between Group A (4.7 +/- 2.2) and Group B (5.2 +/- 2.6) (p = 0.543). Baseline AOFAS scores were Group A (72.7 +/- 12.8) and Group B (73.9 +/- 14.2) (p = 0.801). There was also no significant difference in 3-month AOFAS scores between Group A (76.7 +/- 5.1) and Group B (77.2 +/- 13.4) (p = 0.876). No significant difference in SF-36 scores was seen at 3 months between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of early ESWT to physiotherapy did not result in better outcomes compared to physiotherapy alone for acute plantar fasciitis.

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