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Topuk Ağrısında Tedavi Noktalarının Lokalizasyonu için Bir Kılavuz

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 467 - 472, 24.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1753053

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, plantar fasiit ve Baxter nöropatisi tedavisinde enjeksiyon ve nöroablasyon uygulamaları için üç boyutlu yeni bir yöntemle kalkaneal bölgedeki hedef noktayı belirlemeyi ve daha doğru, kişiselleştirilmiş bir lokalizasyon yöntemi sunmayı amaçlamaktadır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Ayak patolojisi şüphesiyle MR yapılan 65 hastanın verileri retrospektif olarak incelendi. Baxter siniri ile plantar fasyanın yapışma noktası hedeflendi. Hedef bölgenin deri yüzeyine olan medial (yatay), inferior (longitudinal) ve posterior (sagital) mesafeleri üç boyutlu ölçümle kaydedildi; bu ölçümler cinsiyet ve ayakkabı numarası ile korele edildi. İstatistiksel analizlerde tanımlayıcı yöntemler, normal dağılım değerlendirmesi ve uygun parametrik/non-parametrik testler kullanıldı (p<0,05 anlamlı kabul edildi).
Bulgular: Medial, inferior ve posterior mesafelerin ortalamaları sırasıyla 24,26 ± 4,36 mm, 25,97 ± 3,62 mm ve 42,40 ± 4,60 mm olarak bulundu. Inferior ve posterior mesafeler kadınlarda erkeklere göre anlamlı olarak daha kısaydı (p < 0,001). Ayakkabı numarası arttıkça inferior (r = 0,407; p < 0,01) ve posterior (r = 0,653; p < 0,001) mesafelerde anlamlı artış gözlendi.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, plantar fasiit ve Baxter nöropatisi tedavisinde anatomik lokalizasyonu iyileştirmek için yenilikçi bir üç boyutlu yöntem sunmaktadır. Cinsiyet ve ayakkabı numarasının mesafe ölçümlerini etkilediği belirlenmiş olup, geliştirilen yaklaşım daha doğru ve kişiselleştirilmiş tedavi stratejilerine katkı sağlayacaktır. Ayrıca, gelecekte yapılacak prospektif ve geniş ölçekli çalışmalar yöntemin klinik etkinliğini doğrulamaya katkı sağlayacaktır.

References

  • Rhim HC, Kwon J, Park J, Borg-Stein J, Tenforde AS. A systematic review of systematic reviews on the epidemiology, evaluation, and treatment of plantar fasciitis. Life. 2021; 11(11): 1287.
  • Agyekum EK, Ma K. Heel pain: A systematic review. Chin J Traumatol. 2015; 18(3): 164-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2015.03.002
  • DeMaio M, Paine R, Mangine RE, Drez D. Plantar fasciitis. Orthopedics. 1993; 16(10): 1153-63.https://doi.org/10.3928/0147-7447-19931001-13.
  • Karhade AV, Kwon JY. Trends in foot and ankle studies published in high-ımpact general medical journals: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019; 58(3): 540-4. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2018.09.005.
  • Kwong PK, Kay D, Voner RT, White MW. Plantar fasciitis. Mechanics and pathomechanics of treatment. Clin Sports Med. 1988; 7(1): 119-26.
  • Brown C. A review of subcalcaneal heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25(6): 875-81; 884-5.
  • Fei X, Lang L, Lingjiao H, Wei C, Zhou X. Platelet-rich plasma has better mid-term clinical results than traditional steroid injection for plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2021; 107(6): 103007.
  • Baxter DE, Pfeffer GB. Treatment of chronic heel pain by surgical release of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992; 279: 229-36.
  • Presley JC, Maida E, Pawlina W, Murthy N, Ryssman DB, Smith J. Sonographic visualization of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter nerve): technique and validation using perineural injections in a cadaveric model. J Ultrasound Med. 2013; 32(9): 1643-52. https://doi.org/10.7863/ultra.32.9.1643.
  • Baxter DE. Release of the nerve to the abductor digiti minimi. Kitaoka HB, editor. Master techniques in orthopaedic surgery of the foot and ankle. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002. p. 359.
  • Alshami AM, Souvlis T, Coppieters MW. A review of plantar heel pain of neural origin: differential diagnosis and management. Man Ther. 2008; 13(2): 103-11.
  • Louisia S, Masquelet AC. The medial and inferior calcaneal nerves: an anatomic study. Surg Radiol Anat. 1999; 21(3): 169-73.
  • Armağan C, Karaduman ZO, Arıcan M, Turhan Y, Kaban İ, Uludağ V. Innovative approaches in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: comparison of pulsed radiofrequency ablation and surgical intervention. Int Orthop. 2024; 48(12): 2719-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-024-06261-x.
  • Arslan A, Koca TT, Utkan A, Sevimli R, Akel I. Treatment of chronic plantar heel pain with radiofrequency neural ablation of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve and medial calcaneal nerve branches. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2016; 55(4): 767-71.
  • Wu YT, Chang CY, Chou YC, Yeh CC, Li TY, Chu HY, et al. Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency stimulation of posterior tibial nerve: a potential novel intervention for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017; 98(5): 964-70.
  • Ball EM, McKeeman HM, Patterson C, Burns J, Yau WH, Moore OA, et al. Steroid injection for inferior heel pain: a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013; 72(6): 996-1002.
  • Tallia AF, Cardone DA. Diagnostic and therapeutic injection of the ankle and foot. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(7): 1356-63.
  • Sun M-Y, Jeon A, Seo CM, Kim YG, Wu Y-N, Kim DW, et al. The injection site in the tarsal tunnel to minimize neurovascular injury for heel pain: an anatomical study. Surg Radiol Anat. 2020; 42(6): 681-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02411-8.
  • Li Z, Xia C, Yu A, Qi B. Ultrasound-versus palpation-guided injection of corticosteroid for plantar fasciitis: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014; 9(3): e92671.
  • Khosla S, Thiele R, Baumhauer JF. Ultrasound Guidance for Intra-articular Injections of the Foot and Ankle. Foot Ankle Int. 2009; 30(9): 886-90. https://doi.org/10.3113/FAI.2009.0886.
  • Kanesen K, Jaafar MS, Alias A, Kam ML, Yahaya MYB. A multi-centered retrospective study on the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency nerve ablation in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: A mid-term outcome. Cureus. 2024; 16(6):e 32041.
  • Heimkes B, Posel P, Stotz S, Wolf K. The proximal and distal tarsal tunnel syndromes: An anatomical study. Int Orthop. 1987; 11(3): 193-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271447.
  • Chundru U, Liebeskind A, Seidelmann F, Fogel J, Franklin P, Beltran J. Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur formation are associated with abductor digiti minimi atrophy on MRI of the foot. Skeletal Radiol. 2008; 37(6): 505-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0455-2.
  • Choudhary S, Sathe A, Kumar DV. Baxter’s nerve entrapment: the missing nerve. Arch Med Health Sci. 2024; 12(2): 284-5.
  • Moroni S, Zwierzina M, Starke V, Moriggl B, Montesi F, Konschake M. Clinical-anatomic mapping of the tarsal tunnel with regard to Baxter’s neuropathy in recalcitrant heel pain syndrome: part I. Surg Radiol Anat. 2019; 41(1): 29-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2124-z.
  • Choi J, Lee HJ, Nam YS, Shin MY, Kim SH, Kim JH, et al. Optimizing injection accuracy for Baxter’s nerve entrapment: an ultrasonography-guided approach based on anatomical surface landmarks. Ann Med. 2025; 57(5): 2450525. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2025.2450525.
  • Ruiz-Riquelme P, Poggio-Cano D, Sala-Blanch X, Cuéllar Bernal D, Baduell A, Garcia-Elvira R, et al. Ultrasound evaluation of a new surface reference line to describe sural nerve location and safe zones to consider in posterior leg approaches. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023; 31(6): 2216-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-022-07294-8.
  • Langenberg LC, Poublon AR, Hofman L, Kleinrensink GJ, Eygendaal D. Computer-assisted surgical anatomical mapping of the antebrachial cutaneous nerves: an anatomical study with a proposition for alternative, cutaneous nerve-sparing anterior elbow incisions. JBJS. 2023; 8(1): e22
  • Upadhyaya V, Choudur HN. Imaging in peripheral neuropathy: ultrasound and MRI. Indian J Musculoskelet Radiol. 2021; 3(1): 14-23.
  • Nischal N, Gupta S, Lal K, Singh JP. Performance evaluation of high-resolution ultrasound versus magnetic resonance ımaging in diagnosing peripheral nerve pathologies. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2021; 31(1): 43-8. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1729130.
  • Kim I, Nam KE, Kang M, Ahn MY, Lee JI, Nam YS. Novel, user‐friendly landmarks for localizing Baxter’s nerve: A cadaveric study. Clin Anat. 2021; 34(7): 1022-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23707.

A Guideline for the Localization of Treatment Points in Heel Pain

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 467 - 472, 24.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1753053

Abstract

Aim: To determine the target point in the calcaneal region for injection and neuroablation applications in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and Baxter neuropathy using a newly developed three-dimensional approach, providing a more accurate and personalized localization method.
Material and Methods: Data from 65 patients who underwent MRI for suspected foot pathology were retrospectively analyzed. The Baxter nerve and the adhesion point of the plantar fascia were identified. Three-dimensional measurements of the medial (horizontal), inferior (longitudinal), and posterior (sagittal) distances from this target area to the skin surface were performed. Correlations between these distances and patient gender as well as shoe size were evaluated. Statistical analyses included descriptive methods, normality testing, and appropriate parametric/non-parametric tests (p<0.05 was considered statistically significant).
Results: The mean medial, inferior, and posterior distances were 24.26 ± 4.36 mm, 25.97 ± 3.62 mm, and 42.40 ± 4.60 mm, respectively. Inferior and posterior distances were significantly shorter in women than in men (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between shoe size and both inferior (r = 0.407, p < 0.01) and posterior (r = 0.653, p < 0.001) distances.
Conclusion: This study presents a novel three-dimensional method to enhance anatomical localization for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and Baxter neuropathy. Findings demonstrate that gender and shoe size significantly influence distance measurements, supporting the use of this approach to achieve more precise and personalized therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, future prospective and large-scale studies will contribute to confirming its clinical effectiveness.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of a tertiary medical institution with approval number 2025/29, granted on 10 February 2025.

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

References

  • Rhim HC, Kwon J, Park J, Borg-Stein J, Tenforde AS. A systematic review of systematic reviews on the epidemiology, evaluation, and treatment of plantar fasciitis. Life. 2021; 11(11): 1287.
  • Agyekum EK, Ma K. Heel pain: A systematic review. Chin J Traumatol. 2015; 18(3): 164-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2015.03.002
  • DeMaio M, Paine R, Mangine RE, Drez D. Plantar fasciitis. Orthopedics. 1993; 16(10): 1153-63.https://doi.org/10.3928/0147-7447-19931001-13.
  • Karhade AV, Kwon JY. Trends in foot and ankle studies published in high-ımpact general medical journals: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019; 58(3): 540-4. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2018.09.005.
  • Kwong PK, Kay D, Voner RT, White MW. Plantar fasciitis. Mechanics and pathomechanics of treatment. Clin Sports Med. 1988; 7(1): 119-26.
  • Brown C. A review of subcalcaneal heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25(6): 875-81; 884-5.
  • Fei X, Lang L, Lingjiao H, Wei C, Zhou X. Platelet-rich plasma has better mid-term clinical results than traditional steroid injection for plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2021; 107(6): 103007.
  • Baxter DE, Pfeffer GB. Treatment of chronic heel pain by surgical release of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992; 279: 229-36.
  • Presley JC, Maida E, Pawlina W, Murthy N, Ryssman DB, Smith J. Sonographic visualization of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter nerve): technique and validation using perineural injections in a cadaveric model. J Ultrasound Med. 2013; 32(9): 1643-52. https://doi.org/10.7863/ultra.32.9.1643.
  • Baxter DE. Release of the nerve to the abductor digiti minimi. Kitaoka HB, editor. Master techniques in orthopaedic surgery of the foot and ankle. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002. p. 359.
  • Alshami AM, Souvlis T, Coppieters MW. A review of plantar heel pain of neural origin: differential diagnosis and management. Man Ther. 2008; 13(2): 103-11.
  • Louisia S, Masquelet AC. The medial and inferior calcaneal nerves: an anatomic study. Surg Radiol Anat. 1999; 21(3): 169-73.
  • Armağan C, Karaduman ZO, Arıcan M, Turhan Y, Kaban İ, Uludağ V. Innovative approaches in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: comparison of pulsed radiofrequency ablation and surgical intervention. Int Orthop. 2024; 48(12): 2719-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-024-06261-x.
  • Arslan A, Koca TT, Utkan A, Sevimli R, Akel I. Treatment of chronic plantar heel pain with radiofrequency neural ablation of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve and medial calcaneal nerve branches. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2016; 55(4): 767-71.
  • Wu YT, Chang CY, Chou YC, Yeh CC, Li TY, Chu HY, et al. Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency stimulation of posterior tibial nerve: a potential novel intervention for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017; 98(5): 964-70.
  • Ball EM, McKeeman HM, Patterson C, Burns J, Yau WH, Moore OA, et al. Steroid injection for inferior heel pain: a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013; 72(6): 996-1002.
  • Tallia AF, Cardone DA. Diagnostic and therapeutic injection of the ankle and foot. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(7): 1356-63.
  • Sun M-Y, Jeon A, Seo CM, Kim YG, Wu Y-N, Kim DW, et al. The injection site in the tarsal tunnel to minimize neurovascular injury for heel pain: an anatomical study. Surg Radiol Anat. 2020; 42(6): 681-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02411-8.
  • Li Z, Xia C, Yu A, Qi B. Ultrasound-versus palpation-guided injection of corticosteroid for plantar fasciitis: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014; 9(3): e92671.
  • Khosla S, Thiele R, Baumhauer JF. Ultrasound Guidance for Intra-articular Injections of the Foot and Ankle. Foot Ankle Int. 2009; 30(9): 886-90. https://doi.org/10.3113/FAI.2009.0886.
  • Kanesen K, Jaafar MS, Alias A, Kam ML, Yahaya MYB. A multi-centered retrospective study on the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency nerve ablation in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: A mid-term outcome. Cureus. 2024; 16(6):e 32041.
  • Heimkes B, Posel P, Stotz S, Wolf K. The proximal and distal tarsal tunnel syndromes: An anatomical study. Int Orthop. 1987; 11(3): 193-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271447.
  • Chundru U, Liebeskind A, Seidelmann F, Fogel J, Franklin P, Beltran J. Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur formation are associated with abductor digiti minimi atrophy on MRI of the foot. Skeletal Radiol. 2008; 37(6): 505-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0455-2.
  • Choudhary S, Sathe A, Kumar DV. Baxter’s nerve entrapment: the missing nerve. Arch Med Health Sci. 2024; 12(2): 284-5.
  • Moroni S, Zwierzina M, Starke V, Moriggl B, Montesi F, Konschake M. Clinical-anatomic mapping of the tarsal tunnel with regard to Baxter’s neuropathy in recalcitrant heel pain syndrome: part I. Surg Radiol Anat. 2019; 41(1): 29-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2124-z.
  • Choi J, Lee HJ, Nam YS, Shin MY, Kim SH, Kim JH, et al. Optimizing injection accuracy for Baxter’s nerve entrapment: an ultrasonography-guided approach based on anatomical surface landmarks. Ann Med. 2025; 57(5): 2450525. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2025.2450525.
  • Ruiz-Riquelme P, Poggio-Cano D, Sala-Blanch X, Cuéllar Bernal D, Baduell A, Garcia-Elvira R, et al. Ultrasound evaluation of a new surface reference line to describe sural nerve location and safe zones to consider in posterior leg approaches. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023; 31(6): 2216-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-022-07294-8.
  • Langenberg LC, Poublon AR, Hofman L, Kleinrensink GJ, Eygendaal D. Computer-assisted surgical anatomical mapping of the antebrachial cutaneous nerves: an anatomical study with a proposition for alternative, cutaneous nerve-sparing anterior elbow incisions. JBJS. 2023; 8(1): e22
  • Upadhyaya V, Choudur HN. Imaging in peripheral neuropathy: ultrasound and MRI. Indian J Musculoskelet Radiol. 2021; 3(1): 14-23.
  • Nischal N, Gupta S, Lal K, Singh JP. Performance evaluation of high-resolution ultrasound versus magnetic resonance ımaging in diagnosing peripheral nerve pathologies. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2021; 31(1): 43-8. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1729130.
  • Kim I, Nam KE, Kang M, Ahn MY, Lee JI, Nam YS. Novel, user‐friendly landmarks for localizing Baxter’s nerve: A cadaveric study. Clin Anat. 2021; 34(7): 1022-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23707.
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Mücahid Osman Yücel 0000-0002-9405-2367

Sönmez Sağlam 0000-0003-2651-8003

Raşit Emin Dalaslan 0000-0001-5068-8024

Zekeriya Okan Karaduman 0000-0002-6719-3666

Mehmet Arıcan 0000-0002-0649-2339

Publication Date September 24, 2025
Submission Date July 28, 2025
Acceptance Date August 22, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 15 Issue: 3

Cite

Vancouver Yücel MO, Sağlam S, Dalaslan RE, Karaduman ZO, Arıcan M. A Guideline for the Localization of Treatment Points in Heel Pain. VHS. 2025;15(3):467-72.