Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in chronic
plantar fasciitis was maintained for more than six months after treatment.
DESIGN: Observational follow-up study. SUBJECTS:
Twenty-four patients who
received botulinum toxin type A injection in a previous randomized study of
chronic plantar fasciitis (active treatment group) and who presented a benefit
one month after treatment. METHODS: A visual analogue scale for pain and the Foot
Health Status Questionnaire were used to re-evaluate results 12 months after the
botulinum toxin injection. No further injections of botulinum toxin had been
administered during the follow-up period. Patients were also asked to give a
subjective assessment of treatment outcome. RESULTS: At 12 months, compared with
the six-month evaluation, there was a further improvement in foot pain measured
using the visual analogue scale, though this did not reach significance (1.78 at
6 months versus 1.22 at 12 months; P = 0.142). However, there were significant
improvements in two domains of Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain (91.11
at 6 months versus 80.00 at 12 months; P = 0.001) and foot function (96.19 at 6
months versus 89.38 at 12 months; P = 0.047). There was a small, non-significant
deterioration in the shoe and foot health domains. Satisfaction with the outcome
was good or very good in the large majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients
with chronic plantar fasciitis, the positive effect detected six months after
treatment with botulinum toxin type A was maintained at 12 months and there was a
further improvement in pain and foot function.

Langue : ANGLAIS