Effect of Additional Sural Nerve PRF in Chronic Heel Pain

Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis; Chronic Plantar Heel Pain; Spur, Heel

Treatments: Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07383558

Sural-Posterior Tibial PRF

Details and patient eligibility

About

This observational study aims to compare the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment applied to the posterior tibial nerve alone versus PRF applied to both the posterior tibial and sural nerves in patients with chronic plantar heel pain. Outcomes will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment.

Full description

Chronic plantar heel pain is a common condition frequently managed with interventional pain procedures. In routine clinical practice, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is commonly applied to the posterior tibial nerve under ultrasound guidance. In selected patients, PRF is additionally applied to the sural nerve based on clinical judgment.

This observational study includes patients who have already undergone PRF treatment as part of standard care in the Algology Clinic. Patients will not be randomized, and no modification to treatment plans will be made for study purposes. Patients will be divided into two groups: those who received PRF to the posterior tibial nerve alone, and those who received PRF to both the posterior tibial and sural nerves. Pain intensity and functional outcomes will be retrospectively evaluated and compared between groups.

Enrollment: 48 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age between 18 and 65 years

Presence of chronic plantar heel pain

Baseline VAS score >5

Exclusion criteria

History of foot fracture or tumor

Pregnancy

Coagulopathy or use of antiplatelet therapy

Cognitive impairment preventing informed consent

Trial design

48 participants in 2 patient groups

Posterior tibial nerve PRF

Description:

Patients with chronic plantar heel pain who received ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment applied only to the posterior tibial nerve as part of routine clinical care.

Treatment:

Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency

Posterior tibial + sural nerve PRF

Description:

Patients with chronic plantar heel pain who received ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment applied to both the posterior tibial nerve and the sural nerve as part of routine clinical care.

Treatment:

Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency