title: A comparative efficacy evaluation of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment in the gastrocnemius in managing plantar heel pain: a randomized and controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of plantar heel pain is highly challenging. We report ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment (UG-PRF) in the gastrocnemius to treat plantar heel pain and minimize the safety issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study compared UG-PRF with sham treatment in 100 patients with plantar heel pain. Primary outcome measures include the pain subscale of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ-pain) and "first step" pain as measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS-"first-step" pain). The secondary outcome measures include the FHSQ-foot function and general foot health, and health related quality of life (assessed using the Short Form-36 questionnaire [SF-36]). All outcomes were measured at 3 and 6 months post-treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed the efficacy of UG-PRF in terms of pain management, as reflected by higher FHSQ-pain score (increased by 20.0 (P < 0.0001) and 17.9 (P = 0.001) compared with the sham treatment at 3 or 6 months, respectively) and lower VAS-"first-step" pain (reduced by 26.1 (P < 0.0001) and 14.3 (P = 0.01) compared with the sham group at 3 or 6 months, respectively). The FHSQ-foot function and FHSQ-general foot health were increased by the UG-PRF (P < 0.05, vs sham treatment at 3 or 6 months). The SF-36 physical component score in the sham group was 10.8 (P = 0.042) and 10.4 (P = 0.044) lower than the UG-PRF group at 3 or 6 months, respectively. No severe complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the UG-PRF is both safe and efficacious in managing plantar heel pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain Management, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127.
authors.forename: Le
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Qiyong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Mingli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Minghong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Zisheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Dongping
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xiaotong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiangrui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yongjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Plantar Heel Pain; Pulsed Radiofrequency; Randomized Trial; Trigger Points; Ultrasound-Guided