Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Duzce University, Konuralp/Duzce, 81620, Turkey.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Düzce, Düzce University, Duzce, Turkey.
Int Orthop. 2024 Oct;48(10):2719-2726. doi: 10.1007/s00264-024-06261-x. Epub 2024 Jul 31.
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation (PRFA) and surgery for treating chronic plantar fasciitis, focusing on pain relief and functional outcomes.
A prospective study involved 30 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis unresponsive to 12 months of conservative treatment. Patients were divided into PRFA (n = 17) and surgical (n = 13) groups. Clinical evaluations were conducted preoperatively and at three, six and 12 months postoperatively using VAS, AOFAS, FFI, and RMS scores. Radiological measurements assessed foot structure impact.
Both PRFA and surgery significantly reduced pain and improved function. PRFA had a shorter operative time and quicker return to activities (p < 0.001). At 3 months, PRFA showed superior VAS, FFI, and RMS scores (p < 0.05). Long-term outcomes were similar. No major complications occurred, but minor complications were higher in the surgical group (p < 0.01).
PRFA is a minimally invasive, effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis with quicker recovery and lower complication rates compared to surgery. Both treatments offer comparable long-term benefits. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
本研究旨在比较脉冲射频消融（PRFA）和手术治疗慢性足底筋膜炎的效果，重点关注疼痛缓解和功能结果。
前瞻性研究纳入了 30 例对 12 个月保守治疗无反应的慢性足底筋膜炎患者。患者分为 PRFA（n=17）和手术（n=13）组。在术前以及术后 3、6 和 12 个月，使用 VAS、AOFAS、FFI 和 RMS 评分进行临床评估。影像学测量评估足部结构的影响。
PRFA 和手术均显著减轻疼痛并改善功能。PRFA 具有更短的手术时间和更快的活动恢复（p<0.001）。在 3 个月时，PRFA 显示出更好的 VAS、FFI 和 RMS 评分（p<0.05）。长期结果相似。没有发生主要并发症，但手术组的轻微并发症更高（p<0.01）。
与手术相比，PRFA 是一种微创、有效的治疗慢性足底筋膜炎的方法，具有更快的恢复和更低的并发症发生率。两种治疗方法均提供相似的长期益处。需要进一步的研究来证实这些发现。
