Effects of intralesional pulsed radiofrequency treatment on pain in patients with calcaneal spur: results of 460 patients

Abstract

Background This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of intralesional pulsed radiofrequency (RF) in the treatment of calcaneal spur and the results of patients who underwent single and double sessions of RF treatment. Methods The population of this retrospective study consisted of 460 patients who were diagnosed with calcaneal spur with clinical examination and direct radiography. The Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score were used to determine the pain status and functional capacities of the patients. Posttreatment evaluation was carried out on average in the 6th week. Results The study involved 460 patients, 76.9% of whom were female, with the average age of 50.8 ± 10.9 years in total. Of the patients 43% was given RF therapy in a single session, and 57% of them in double sessions. After the RF procedure, the number of patients whose pain decreased according to both AOFAS and Wong-Baker pain scoring systems increased statistically significantly (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in the AOFAS-pain scores and the total AOFAS scores and a significant decrease in the Wong Baker-pain scale after treatment. However, there was no significant change in treatment success with respect to the number of RF sessions. Although not statistically significant, the differences in the AOFAS-pain scores and in the total AOFAS scores were found to be higher in patients who underwent single session RF, while the difference in the Wong Baker-pain ranking was higher in patients who received double sessions RF. Conclusion Intralesional pulsed RF procedure can be preferred as a relatively less invasive method that does not have any serious complications in patients with persistent calcaneal spurs who do not respond to the use of oral anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe insoles, nor corticosteroid injection to the lesion area.

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Patients with Calcaneal Spurs: Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy?

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Key Considerations When Targeting a Heel Spur

“…Recent studies have suggested the role of pulsed and conventional radiofrequency in treating heel pain due to heel spur. These are relatively noninvasive methods with promising outcomes in short- (0 - 3 months) and intermediate-term (3 - 6 months), that could be considered in patients resistant to corticosteroid injections ( 19 , 20 ).…”

Outcomes of U-shaped internal fixation in the treatment of avulsion fracture of calcaneal tubercle

“…The maintenance of the plate and the fracture were evaluated by the routine anteroposterior and lateral imaging of the heel. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score, Cedell score and the visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate functional results [19][20][21].…”