Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran Archives of Iranian Medicine 1029-2977 26 11 2023 11 01 Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapies in Calcaneal Spurs 642 646 10.34172/aim.2023.94 EN Gülşah Yaşa Öztürk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9033-5095 Ayşegül Yetişir https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7070-3076 Journal Article 10.34172/aim.2023.94 2023 06 02 2023 07 22 Background: Various treatment methods are available for calcaneal spur, which can cause disability. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) added to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on pain and functional capacity in treating calcaneal spurs. Methods: Patients with calcaneal spurs who were recommended ESWT or ESWT+PEMFT and whose Foot Function Index (FFI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) values were available in their records were retrospectively analyzed. The two groups were ESWT (n=35) and ESWT+PEMFT (n=40). FFI and VAS scores were obtained from their records before treatment, after treatment, and in the third month after treatment. Results: The two groups were similar regarding their pre-treatment FFI and VAS scores. In intra-group evaluation, statistically significant decreases were found in terms of the FFI pain, disability, and activity limitation and VAS scores in both groups after treatment and in the third month after treatment compared to the pre-treatment period. In the comparison between the groups, the post-treatment and post-treatment third-month FFI pain, disability, and activity limitation and VAS scores were significantly lower in the PEMFT+ESWT group than the ESWT group (P<0.001). Conclusion: A calcaneal spur is a condition that can cause pain and functional limitation in patients. Various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of calcaneal spurs. In our study, we observed that PEMFT added to ESWT significantly improved the pain and functionality of the patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of PEMFT in calcaneal spurs.