Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions presenting to foot and ankle specialists. Although the condition is usually responsive to conservative and nonoperative care, recalcitrant plantar fasciitis occurs in 10–20 % of the patients treated.

Until recently, plantar fasciotomy, with or without spur resection or release of nerve entrapments, has been the only option for this ever-increasing patient population.

For 6 years we have patiently awaited the opportunity to evaluate this newmodali ty of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). As one would expect, skepticism and cynicism prevailed until our first 10 patients rendered favorable responses within days of treatment. Lowell Weil, Jr., one of my associates, embraced this technology and we traveled to Naples, Italy, in June of 2000 to attend the 2nd International Meeting of the International Musculoskeletal Shock Wave Association. We were thoroughly impressed with the honesty and attempt at providing results according to evidence-based medicine.

Upon meeting Jan Rompe, we found an individual who was energetic, bright, and honest.

With the recent application and ongoing clinical trials of ESWT occurring in the United States, I encouraged Dr. Rompe to write a book in English as a work of reference for those of us who are monolingual.

As an author of more than 12 papers on ESWT, Jan Rompe was able to write this text, which is a combination of a current literature reviewa nd the results of clinical trials at his medical institution, on virtually every application of musculoskeletal ESWT. With more than 200 relevant references, this book will be a “must read” for those wishing to learn more and apply this exciting and newt echnology.