Table 1.
Comparison of patient data
| Item | Standard dose group (n = 59) | Experimental dose group (n = 58) | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age (years) | |||
| 56.1 | 58.1 | ||
| SD | 9.2 | 8.7 | 0.207 |
| (t-Test) | |||
| Localization of spur | |||
| Plantar | 58 (98 %) | 54 (93 %) | |
| Plantar and dorsal | 1 (2 %) | 4 (7 %) | 0.350 |
| Mean duration of pain (months) | 16.5 | 16.7 | 0.882 |
| SD | 21.2 | 23.2 | |
| Localization of pain | |||
| Right = left | 5 (7 %) | ||
| Right > left | 5 (8 %) | 2 (3 %) | |
| Left > right | 9 (16 %) | 1 (2 %) | |
| Right only | 26 (44 %) | 22 (38 %) | |
| Left only | 19 (32 %) | 29 (50 %) | 0.004 |
| Extension of pain | |||
| None | 21 (36 %) | 20 (34 %) | |
| Calf | 15 (25 %) | 17 (29 %) | |
| Sole of foot | 16 (27 %) | 15 (26 %) | |
| both | 7 (12 %) | 6 (11 %) | 0.979 |
| Start of pain | |||
| Not known | 2 (3 %) | 1 (2 %) | |
| Suddenly | 23 (39 %) | 24 (41 %) | |
| Insidious | 34 (58 %) | 33 (57 %) | >0.999 |
| Impact of pain on life quality | |||
| No impact | 3 (5 %) | ||
| Leisure | 4 (7 %) | 7 (12 %) | |
| Work | 3 (5 %) | 1 (2 %) | |
| Leisure and work | 52 (88 %) | 47 (81 %) | 0.165 |
| Effects on daily work | |||
| Able to work | 49 (83 %) | 52 (90 %) | |
| Unable to work | 7 (12 %) | 2 (3 %) | |
| No occupancy | 3 (5 %) | 4 (7 %) | 0.258 |
| Effects on leisure/sports | |||
| Unlimited | 1 (2 %) | 3 (5 %) | |
| Limited | 40 (68 %) | 37 (64 %) | |
| Impossible | 16 (27 %) | 17 (29 %) | |
| No sports | 2 (3 %) | 1 (3 %) | 0.722 |
| Former therapy using | |||
| Ice/heat | 7 (12 %) | 3 (5 %) | 0.322 |
| Ultrasound | 8 (14 %) | 15 (26 %) | 0.108 |
| Microwaves | 1 (2 %) | 1 (2 %) | >0.999 |
| Oral medication | 36 (61 %) | 39 (67 %) | 0.564 |
| Injections | 19 (32 %) | 23 (40 %) | 0.444 |
| Heel splints | 56 (95 %) | 55 (95 %) | >0.999 |
| Other shoe adjustment | 4 (7 %) | 4 (7 %) | >0.999 |
| Surgery | 1 (2 %) | 1 (2 %) | >0.999 |
| (Multiple choices possible) |
SD standard deviation