One Cause of Heel Pain is Plantar Fasciopathy (PF). In Most Cases, a Heel Spur is Frequently Present Alongside PF. We Aim to Evaluate the Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency Ablation, Along With Tissue Elasticity Assessed by Ultrasound, in Patients With Chronic Pain (≥6 Months).

Launched by TC ERCIYES UNIVERSITY · Aug 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two treatments for long-lasting heel pain caused by a condition called plantar fasciopathy (PF), which often happens alongside a heel spur—a small bone growth on the heel. Many people with PF find relief through medicines, exercises, or physical therapy, but some still have pain that lasts six months or more. This study will compare how well corticosteroid injections (a type of anti-inflammatory shot) and radiofrequency ablation (a treatment that uses heat to reduce pain signals) work to ease pain and improve foot function in adults with chronic PF. The study will also use ultrasound (a safe imaging method) to look at how these treatments affect the heel tissue itself.

To join, participants need to have had heel pain from PF for at least six months, a pain level of 4 or higher on a 10-point scale, and evidence of a heel spur seen on an ultrasound or X-ray. They must have already tried at least one common treatment like exercises, physical therapy, or pain medications without enough relief. People with certain health issues, such as diabetes, recent injections, or infections at the heel, would not be eligible. If accepted, participants will receive one of the two treatments and be monitored to see which works better in both the short and long term. This trial aims to help doctors find the most effective way to treat stubborn heel pain and improve patients’ quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients with chronic (≥ 6 months) plantar fasciopathy
• • 2. NRS score ≥ 4
• • 3. Presence of a calcaneal spur detected by ultrasound (USG) or direct radiography
• 4. At least one of the following treatments has been administered:
• • Home exercise program
• • Physiotherapy
• • Orthosis/prosthesis
• • NSAIDs
• • Night splint
• • Kinesio taping
• • Corticosteroid injection
• • Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. History of calcaneal trauma/fracture
• • 2. Previous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment
• • 3. Patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy
• • 4. Inflammatory or degenerative arthropathies
• • 5. Presence of diabetes
• • 6. Pregnancy
• • 7. History of cancer
• • 8. Peripheral neuropathy or ischemia
• • 9. Open wound or signs of infection at the procedure site
• • 10. Evidence of systemic infection
• • 11. Patients using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents
• • 12. Presence of an intracardiac defibrillator or pacemaker
• • 13. Patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome
• • 14. Patients who have received ESWT and/or corticosteroid injection within the last 3 months
• • 15. Presence of heel pain due to lumbar radiculopathy