Comparison of the Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation and Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Abstract

Aim: The main goal of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation as treatments for refractory chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods: Sixty patients with plantar fasciitis who had not responded to conservative treatment for at least 6 months were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (n=30) and the second group received steroid injection (n=30). Patients were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores before treatment, at 1 month and 6 months. Results: At the sixth month follow-up, the VAS score was 2.8 in the radiofrequency group and 4.2 in the steroid group (p<0.008). AOFAS scores were 85.3±6.8 in the radiofrequency group and 74.2±8.4 in the steroid group (p<0.003). Treatment success was 83.3% in the radiofrequency group and 63.3% in the steroid group. The need for repeat treatment was observed with a rate of 10% in the radiofrequency group and 26.7% in the steroid group. No serious complications were observed in both groups. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation proved superior to steroid injection as a treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. The treatment achieved better results in pain management and functional improvement while requiring fewer follow-up procedures.

Keywords

• Plantar fasciitis
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Steroid injection

Plantar Fasiit Tedavisinde Radyofrekans Ablasyon ve Steroid Enjeksiyonu Etkinliğinin Karşılaştırılması

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, konservatif tedaviye yanıt vermeyen kronik plantar fasiit hastalarında radyofrekans ablasyon ve steroid enjeksiyonu tedavilerinin etkinliğini karşılaştırmayı amaçladık. Yöntem: İki yıllık süreçte kliniğimize başvuran, en az 6 ay konservatif tedaviye yanıt alınamamış 60 plantar fasiit hastası randomize olarak iki gruba ayrıldı. Birinci gruba ultrasonografi eşliğinde radyofrekans ablasyon (n=30), ikinci gruba steroid enjeksiyonu (n=30) uygulandı. Hastalar tedavi öncesi, 1. ay ve 6. ayda Vizüel Analog Skala (VAS) ve Amerikan Ortopedik Ayak ve Ayak Bileği Derneği (AOFAS) skorları ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Altıncı ay kontrolünde radyofrekans grubunda VAS skoru 2.8, steroid grubunda 4.2 olarak saptandı (p<0.008). AOFAS skorları radyofrekans grubunda 85.3±6.8, steroid grubunda 74.2±8.4 bulundu (p<0.003). Tedavi başarısı radyofrekans grubunda %83.3, steroid grubunda %63.3 olarak belirlendi. Tekrarlayan tedavi gereksinimi radyofrekans grubunda %10, steroid grubunda %26.7 oranında görüldü. Her iki grupta da ciddi komplikasyon gözlenmedi. Sonuç: Radyofrekans ablasyon, kronik plantar fasiit tedavisinde steroid enjeksiyonuna göre daha etkili bulunmuştur. Özellikle ağrı kontrolü ve fonksiyonel iyileşme açısından daha başarılı sonuçlar elde edilmiş olup, tekrarlayan tedavi gereksinimi daha az görülmüştür.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Plantar fasiit
• Radyofrekans ablasyon
• Steroid enjeksiyonu

Kaynakça

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