Plantar Fascia-Specific Stretching (PFSS) versus Radial Shock Wave Therapy (SWT) as Initial Treatment of Plantar Fasciopathy

INTERVENTION: Group I: plantar fascia‐specific stretching, 3x per day, for eight weeks Group II: Shock wave therapy, performed 3x in weekly intervals Follow‐up: at 2 months, 4 months, 15 months from baseline CONDITION: Plantar fasciopathy ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Fibroblastic disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary efficacy endpoint is prospectively defined as change of the sum score of the pain subscale of the Foot function Index (PS‐FFI) from baseline to month two. Further primary efficacy criteria are the change of item ´2` of the PS‐FFI from baseline to month two, and the response rate to question #6 (satisfaction with treatment) of the subject‐relevant outcome measures (SROM) questionnaire at month two from baseline. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change of the sum score of the PS‐FFI from baseline to month four, and to month fifteen; change of the score of item ´2` of the PS‐FFI from baseline to month four, and to month fifteen; association of treatment with response rates of the SROM questionnaire at month two, at month four, and at month fifteen. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. History of plantar fasciitis for less than 6 weeks 2. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score = 6 points for pain during the first few steps of walking in the morning 3. Localised pain on palpation of the proximal plantar fascia 4. Be willing to abstain from any other treatments or medications during the treatment and follow‐up period