Comparison of Three Different Treatment Modalities in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: Corticosteroid Injection, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of three popular conservative treatment options in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis (PF): corticosteroid injection (CSI), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and radiofrequency nerve ablation (RFNA). Material and Methods: Patients with chronic PF refractory to other conservative treatment methods were included in this retrospective study. From January 2017 to February 2019, all the patients with the diagnosis of chronic PF who were treated with conservative treatment modalities were evaluated. Forty eight patients who met our eligibility criteria and treated either with CSI, ESWT or RFNA methods were included in the study. Clinical and functional assessments of the patients were done by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) just before the treatment, at 6 th and at 12 th weeks of the last session. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in terms of VAS scores between the groups both for before treatment and for 6 th week (both p<0.001), but there was not a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of VAS scores at 12 th week (p=0.436). Also, there was not a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of AOFAS scores before treatment, 6 th and 12 th week assessments (p=0.076, p=0.081, p=0.478 respectively). Conclusion:Although the three treatment modalities showed significant improvements in the chronic PF treatment, no differences were found among effectiveness of them at the final follow-up period.

A Multi-centered Retrospective Study on the Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: A Mid-term Outcome

“…In 2019, Turhan and Arican performed a comparison of three treatment modalities for chronic plantar fasciitis in 48 patients, including corticosteroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and RFNA. Their results showed no significant differences in outcomes among these treatments, indicating substantial improvements in managing chronic plantar fasciitis with all three modalities [6].…”