Bipolar radiofrequency for plantar fasciitis (TOPAZ)

NewsBot · Jul 18, 2022

The effectiveness of conventional radiofrequency ablation for chronic plantar heel pain due to heel spur
Damla Yürük et al
Agri. 2022 Apr;34(2):131-138

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of conventional radiofrequency (CRF) ablation treatment on chronic plantar heel pain due to heel spur.

Methods: A total of 20 patients with heel spur who did not respond to conservative treatments were recruited for the study. Under fluoroscopy guidance, CRF was performed to three points at the top, above, and below the heel spur in the longitudinal plane of the foot. Pain intensity, the pressure pain threshold (PPT), and functional status were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), pressure algometers, and the Foot Function Index (FFI). All measurements were taken before the procedure, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months following the procedure.

Results: CRF was applied to 20 patients - 16 (80%) females and 4 (20%) males. Their mean age was 51.40+-8.10 years, the mean body mass index was 33.80+-5.47 kg/m2, the mean duration of symptoms was 18.30+-9.02 months, and pes planus was present in 5 patients (25%). A statistically significant decrease was observed in VAS score and PPT and FFI measurements at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month following CRF compared to before CRF (p<0.001).

Conclusion: CRF is an effective, safe, minimally invasive method to reduce pain severity in patients with chronic heel pain due to heel spur in the short (0-3 months) and intermediate term (3-6 months).
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NewsBot · Oct 31, 2023

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Patients with Calcaneal Spurs: Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy?
Nevsun Pihtili Tas, Oğuz Kaya
J Clin Med. 2023 Oct 13;12(20):6503

Background and objectives: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) and RFA (Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation) on pain, disability, and activity limitation in the treatment of plantar fasciitis in patients with calcaneal spurs.

Materials and methods: Patients who apply to Orthopedics and Traumatology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation departments with a complaint of heel pain are included in this retrospective study. We included patients diagnosed with calcaneal spurs who received treatment with ESWT (n = 80) and RFA (n = 79) between 1 August 2021 and 1 September 2022. All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and the Roles and Maudsley score (RM) before and after treatment. An evaluation was performed on average 6 months after treatment.

Results: This study included 79 RFA patients (34 females and 45 males) with a mean age of 55.8 ± 9.6 years and 80 ESWT patients (20 females and 60 males) with a mean age of 49.1 ± 9.5 years. There was a significant decrease in VAS scores after treatment in both the RFA and ESWT groups (z: -4.98, z: -5.18, respectively, p < 0.001). The reductions in FFI pain, FFI activity restriction, FFI disability, and RM scores were significant in both groups, although the scores after treatment were lower in the RFA group.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that ESWT and RFA significantly reduced pain, disability, and activity restriction in the treatment of plantar fasciitis in patients with calcaneal spurs. ESWT proved particularly effective in alleviating pain, whereas RFA had more pronounced effects on reducing disability and activity limitations. The choice of treatment should be based on the patient's specific complaints.
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NewsBot · Dec 21, 2023

Comparison between Ultrasound-guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medial Calcaneal Nerve and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Managing Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
JANET, MOIRANGTHEM; SINGH, AKOIJAM JOY; SINGH, YUMNAM NINGTHEMBA; MOIRANGTHEM, MONICA; RAJKUMARI, KANTI; CHABUNGBAM, MARGARET; CHOORAPRA, SREEJITH; SINGH, LONGJAM NILACHANDRA
Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research . Nov2023, Vol. 17 Issue 11, p5-9. 5p.

Abstract: Introduction: Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, with a prevalence ranging from 3.6-7% in the general population. Approximately 90% of patients with PF respond well to conservative therapy, including rest, stretching, analgesics, physical therapy, shoe modifications, or steroid injections. However, around 10% of patients have recalcitrant cases that require invasive or surgical interventions. Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation (PRFA) is a non neurodestructive method that provides non surgical pain relief in such cases. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PRFA of the Medial Calcaneal Nerve (MCN) and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) in managing recalcitrant PF. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India over a two-year period from September 2018 to August 2020. A total of 78 patients with PF were included in the study, divided equally into two groups: a study group and a control group, each consisting of 39 participants. The study group received PRFA of the MCN, while the control group received ESWT of the plantar fascia. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Plantar Fascia Thickness (PFT), and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score were measured at 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks as outcome variables. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, and statistical tests like Chi-square test, t-test, and repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 78 patients included in the study, 42 (53.8%) were females and 36 (46.2%) were males, with a mean age of 41.08±10.09 years. The VAS score in the study group improved from 5.51±0.82 at baseline to 1.92±0.80 at 24 weeks, while in the control group, the VAS score improved from 5.36±0.97 at baseline to 2.33±0.66 at 24 weeks. PFT in the study group improved from 4.45±0.374 at baseline to 2.26±0.231 at 24 weeks, while in the control group, PFT improved from 4.42±0.366 at baseline to 2.49±0.357 at 24 weeks. The AOFAS score also improved from 50.49±13.13 at baseline to 74.03±11.53 in the study group, and in the control group, the AOFAS score improved from 49.74±12.26 at baseline to 71.36±10.72 at 24 weeks (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Significant improvements were observed in all outcome measures in both the study and control groups, with a p-value <0.05. However, the improvements were more pronounced in the study group, with minimal to no side-effects. Hence, ultrasound-guided PRFA of the MCN can be considered an effective minimally invasive treatment modality for recalcitrant PF.
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Bipolar radiofrequency for plantar fasciitis (TOPAZ)

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NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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Bipolar radiofrequency for plantar fasciitis (TOPAZ)

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Memoirs of a Bipolar Ex-Podiatrist

Radiofrequency Ablation for the Management of Morton's Neuroma

Radiofrequency Microdebridement for Achilles Tendinosis

Pulsed radiofrequency stimulation of posterior tibial nerve for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis

Radiofrequency ablation in onychocryptosis

Radiofrequency microtenotomy vs plantar fasciotomy for plantar fasciitis

cryotherapy/radiofrequency ablation, sclerosing or PRP injection for neuroma?

Share This Page

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