RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION THERAPY FOR
CHRONIC HEEL PAIN AND PLANTAR FASCITIS

Plantar Fasciitis, also known as heel pain or heel spurs, can cause moderate discomfort to severe pain and affect the majority of society. Research shows that more than 10% of society suffers from heel pain throughout their lives.

Heel pain, which ranks among the top reasons for seeking podiatric medical attention, is of great importance as it reduces the individual’s quality of life.

Although heel pain and heel spurs are considered separate complaints, 50% of those who experience heel pain also experience heel spurs. Heel spurs typically present with pain that starts with the first few steps in the morning, decreases during the day and reappears at the end of the day. Walking on tiptoes and observing the pain experienced when bending the toes backwards help in making a diagnosis. Making a diagnosis is a very sensitive process, and accurately taking the patient’s history into account and conducting a physical examination ensures the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If heel pain lasts for more than a month and there is severe pain with the first step of the day, it is essential to consult a physician with these complaints.

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the muscle bands (plantar fascia) that extend from the toes to the heel bone, usually after excessive running and jumping. This pain is felt under and in the center of the heel. It suddenly worsens when the first step is taken in the morning after resting all night.

If plantar fasciitis continues for an extended period of time, calcium deposits form where the fascia connects to the heel, and this is called a ”heel spur”.

The treatment is the same as plantar fasciitis. Treatment begins first by stopping the activities that are causing the problem, then by using a heel support and insoles. Although many different methods are used in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, the pain can be permanent. Traditional methods to reduce the pain include stretching exercises, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, arch supports, night splints, massage and shoe modifications. Surgical treatments, such as loosening the plantar fascia and resecting the calcaneal spurs, are used as last-resort treatment options. However, traditional treatment options do not work in every case. Since many people do not receive the correct diagnosis or treatment, their quality of life decreases significantly due to heel pain.

At our clinic, we use the ”Radiofrequency Ablation” method in cases that are resistant to traditional treatment options and where the patient does not benefit sufficiently. In the treatment of chronic heel pain, radiofrequency ablation has over an 85% success rate in a single session when applied to suitable patients. This surgical option has a different application from other methods in the treatment of chronic heel pain. The most important feature that distinguishes this method from other methods is that it achieves permanent results after a single session. This method is based on burning the small millimetric nerves that cause the pain caused by plantar fasciitis with radiofrequency (RF) energy. A trial injection is administered to the patient to determine if they are suitable for the procedure. Approximately 0.5 cc of local anesthetic is injected into the nerve area to be burned and if the patient benefits from this injection, they are considered a suitable candidate for the procedure. This is an outpatient procedure and after a one-day rest period, the patient can return to their normal daily activities.