Purpose: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusions: 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.
Keywords: Chronic plantar fasciitis; Functional outcomes; Pain management; Pulsed radiofrequency ablation; Surgical intervention.
© 2024. The Author(s).