Physical treatment with focused shock waves is effective in the treatment of tendonitis. Food supplements could facilitate the healing of tendinopathies when combined with shock wave therapy.

A single-blind, randomized prospective study (level of evidence IB) was designed. Patients with plantar fasciitis were recruited and randomized to group A and group B. Group A was treated with focused shock waves alone and group B with a combination of focused shock waves and tendon supplement. Pain remission (primary endpoint) and functional recovery (secondary endpoint) are monitored in both groups at three time points (Months 0, 3, and 6).

Inclusion Criteria:

• plantar heel pain diagnosed clinically and instrumentally (ultrasound) as plantar fasciitis, that has not responded to conservative treatment for at least six months;

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous fractures or ankle and heel surgery;
• Recurrence of previous local painful episodes;
• Lesion of the plantar fascia on US examination;
• Presence of pathologies that affect the function of the foot (lumbar radiculopathy, Achilles tendinitis, Morton's neuroma, etc.);
• Chronic inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

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