CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES OF RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Sezgin Bahadır Tekin1, Toktamış Savaş2, Edip Gönüllü3
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gaziantep University Sahinbey Research and Practice Hospital, Gaziantep,
Türkiye
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Dr. Ersin Arslan Education Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Türkiye
3Department of Algology, Bakırçay University Çiğli Regional Education Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy used in chronic tendinopathy is a minimally invasive technique. This
treatment has been previously described in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis and tennis elbow. Our study aims to
evaluate the clinical and functional results of RF in patients presenting with plantar fasciitis (PF). In addition, we aimed to
present a new option for the treatment of PF, which is one of the most important causes of heel pain complaint.
MATERIAL and METHODS: Thirty-five patients aged between 31-50 years, who were admitted to our clinic with the complaint
of heel pain between December 2018 and December 2019 and were diagnosed with PF after our necessary examinations and
treated with RF, were evaluated retrospectively. For the clinical and functional evaluation of the patients, pre-treatment
(PRT) and post-treatment (PST) AOFAS (American Orthopedics Foot & Ankle Society) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for
PRT and PST were used. After PRT scores were obtained from the patients, the treatment procedure was performed, and PST
scores were evaluated in the third month. Clinical and functional improvement was evaluated by calculating the percentages
of these parameters according to PRT and PST values. Conventional RF was applied at 85°C for 90 seconds after the patients
were placed in the prone position, the lateral view of the ankle was taken under fluoroscopy, sensory and motor stimulation
was given, and the location of the RF probe was verified. (See fig.) No complications were observed in our study. The normal
distribution test of the obtained variables was performed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. It was
determined that the data did not show normal distribution (p<0.05). Differences in PRT, PST VAS, and AOFAS variables were
tested with the Wilcoxon test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate the percentages of change of PRT and PST,
VAS, and AOFAS and to compare the percentages of change according to age groups and gender. SPSS 22.0 program was used
for analysis. p<0.05 was considered significant.
RESULT: Ten of the patients included in the study were male, and 25 were female. The mean age of the patients was
40.55±5.30; PRT and PST VAS scores were 8.97±1.36 and 5.89±3.67, respectively; PRT and PST AOFAS scores were
48.51±10.67 and 65.89±22.79, respectively. According to the statistical analysis, PST VAS and AOFAS scores were found to be
significant compared to the PRT period (p<0.05); age and gender did not affect the percentage of change in PST VAS and
AOFAS values in patients, and it was more common in women than men. (See tab.)
CONCLUSION: Plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of plantar heel pain, is a significant disease with a large patient
population in orthopedic outpatient clinics. RF ablation therapy is a treatment method that gives good clinical and functional
results in the short term in patients with PF, and age and gender did not seem to affect the treatment. According to the data
in our study, we conclude that the long-term results of RF ablation therapy should also be evaluated.
Keywords: AOFAS, plantar fasciitis, radiofrequency ablation, VAS
Aramak istediğiniz ismi, kurumu, kelimeyi yazarak ilgili bölüme gidebilirsiniz.
Administration of radiofrequency ablation therapy
The relevant area is entered with the radiofrequency probe accompanied by fluoroscopy.
Statistical table of AOFAS and VAS scores
N Mean Standard Deviation p
AOFAS pre-Treatment 35 48,51 10,67 <0,005
AOFAS post- Treatment 35 65,89 22,79
VAS pre- Treatment 35 8,97 1,36 <0,005
VAS post-Treatment 35 5,89 3,67
Clinical and functional results 3 months after radiofrequency ablation therapy
