Outcome of Corticosteroid Injections, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, and Radiofrequency Thermal Lesioning for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Abstract

Background: Chronic heel pain with plantar fasciitis is relatively common and can affect adults of all ages regardless of an active or sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection (CSI), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and radiofrequency thermal lesioning (RTL) treatments in chronic plantar heel pain that has been unresponsive to other conservative treatments. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of 217 patients treated with CSI ( n = 73), ESWT ( n = 75), and RTL ( n = 69). The treatment efficacy and pain intensity, as measured using the visual analog scale, were recorded and compared at the 6-month follow-up. Results: Pain intensity decreased significantly in all patients. However, it decreased significantly more in the CSI and RTL groups than in the ESWT group ( P < .001). Age, sex, body mass index, calcaneal spur presence, and symptom duration were similar among 3 groups ( P > .05). No complications were noted after the CSI, ESWT, or RTL sessions. Conclusion: CSI, ESWT, and RTL successfully treated chronic plantar heel pain that did not respond to other conservative treatments; however, CSI and RTL yielded better therapeutic outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Artificial Intelligence Technology Combined with Ultrasound-Guided Needle Knife Interventional Treatment of PF: Improvement of Pain, Fascia Thickness, and Ankle-Foot Function in Patients

“…PF is a kind of chronic aseptic inflammation, and the age of onset is mostly between 40 and 70 years old. Obesity, standing or walking with weight for a long time, abnormal structure of foot arch, bone spur of calcaneus, and limited movement of ankle joint are all risk factors of PF [ 17 ]. The main clinical symptoms are needle-like pain on the inside of the heel when getting up in the morning or walking after a long rest, but the pain is obviously relieved after walking for a period of time; after walking for a long time, the symptom is repeated and aggravated.…”

“…At present, the common clinical treatments for PF mainly include painkillers, physiotherapy, orthopedic insole and nocturnal splint application, injection therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and surgical treatment [ 17 ]. Clinical trials show that these treatments can achieve certain clinical effects, but there are still some side effects, so if a more safe and effective method can be found, economical and convenient treatment is of great significance for patients with PF [ 18 ].…”

Autologous Blood Injection With Dry-Needling vs Dry-Needling Alone Treatment for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Although data from this study only recorded follow-up at a maximum of 6 months, previous work has shown benefits following injection of blood products in similar patients lasting in excess of 1-3 years. 54 Furthermore, it is not known from this study how the benefits seen in both groups may compare to other potential treatment options that may have benefit in similar populations, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, 57,59 botulinum toxin, 1,13 radiofrequency thermal lesioning, 14 or surgery, 53 and this should be the focus of further works to better guide treatment decisions.…”

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

“…Likewise, in the study by Erden et al, in which chronic plantar fasciitis cases were treated, 217 patients were divided into 3 groups according to the treatment methods and evaluated retrospectively, as a result of which it was found that the severity of pain statistically significantly reduced in all patients. It was also shown that the severity of pain decreased significantly more in patients who received corticosteroid injection and RF thermal lesioning in comparison to those who received extracorporeal shock wave therapy [ 23 ]. The study of Ayman et al, in which they treated patients with chronic and persistent plantar fasciitis by applying pulsed and thermal RF to the medial calcaneal nerve, reported that the wake-up numerical verbal rating score and the prolonged numerical verbal rating score, which were evaluated in the 1st and 3rd weeks after treatment, resulted in more regression in the pulsed RF group compared to the thermal RF group [ 15 ].…”