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One Cause of Heel Pain is Plantar Fasciopathy (PF). In Most Cases, a Heel Spur is Frequently Present Alongside PF. We Aim to Evaluate the Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency Ablation, Along With Tissue Elasticity Assessed by Ultrasound, in Patients With Chronic Pain (≥6 Months).

Sponsored by TC Erciyes University

About this trial

Last updated 8 months ago

Study ID

2025/60

Status

Not yet recruiting

Type

Interventional

Phase

N/A

Placebo

No

Accepting

18 to 80 Years
All Sexes

Trial Timing

Started 8 months ago

What is this trial about?

Heel pain is common among adults. One cause of heel pain is plantar fasciopathy (PF). In most cases, a heel spur, a bony prominence that extends into the plantar fascia, is frequently present alongside PF. First-line treatments include pain-relieving drugs, home exercises, heel support peds, and physical therapy. However, some patients can't get relief from these therapies, and the pain persists beyond six months. This situation is referred to as refractory chronic PF. Local treatments applied via skin puncture such as anti-inflamtory injection and destruction of nerves carrying pain signals to brain are warranted in these cases. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, along with tissue elasticity assessed by ultrasound, in patients with chronic pain (≥6 months). The goal of this clinical trial is to determine which treatment-corticosteroid injection or radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation-is more effective for treating plantar fasciopathy in adults. It will also learn about the effects of the treatments on the properties of the heel tissue using ultrasound. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation have the same efficacy on pain and functionality for both short- and long-term? Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation similarly affect heel tissue? The researchers will investigate which of the corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency thermocoagulation is more effective for

What are the participation requirements?

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients with chronic (≥ 6 months) plantar fasciopathy

2. NRS score ≥ 4

3. Presence of a calcaneal spur detected by ultrasound (USG) or direct radiography

4. At least one of the following treatments has been administered:

* Home exercise program
* Physiotherapy
* Orthosis/prosthesis
* NSAIDs
* Night splint
* Kinesio taping
* Corticosteroid injection
* Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of calcaneal trauma/fracture

2. Previous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment

3. Patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy

4. Inflammatory or degenerative arthropathies

5. Presence of diabetes

6. Pregnancy

7. History of cancer

8. Peripheral neuropathy or ischemia

9. Open wound or signs of infection at the procedure site

10. Evidence of systemic infection

11. Patients using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents

12. Presence of an intracardiac defibrillator or pacemaker

13. Patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome

14. Patients who have received ESWT and/or corticosteroid injection within the last 3 months

15. Presence of heel pain due to lumbar radiculopathy