Retrospective comparison of patients who received pulse radiofrequency and plantar fascia relaxation surgery in cases of plantar fasciitis resistant to conservative treatment

We aimed to investigate the effects of pulse radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) and open plantar fascia release methods on pain and functional results in patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis who did not improve despite conservative treatments. In our study, as a result of the examinations and tests that came to Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Orthopedics and Traumatology Polyclinic with complaints of heel pain between 02.07.2018 and 02.07 2022, 30 patients with PF who were diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and who were differentially diagnosed with other diseases that may cause heel pain were included. Patients older than 18 years of age who had no improvement in their symptoms despite receiving conservative treatment for at least 12 months were included. The study was conducted retrospectively. The patients were retrospectively scanned and divided into two groups: Pulse Radiofrequency (PRFA) and Surgery (CR). It was prepared as Group RF (pulse radiofrequency technique applied group, n=17) and Group CR (surgery applied group, n=13). The patients included in the study were informed about the purpose of the study, method of application, duration, possible complications and problems that may be encountered. Approval for the research was received from Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee on 26.03.2023, with decision number 2023/43. In our study, the average time of the PRFA group was found to be statistically significantly lower than the surgery group (p = 0.0001). This may be because the PRFA procedure is minimally invasive and the technique is quite easy to apply. The complication rate of the PRFA group was found to be very low compared to the surgical group (p = 0.001). Considering the AFI disability, AFI activity limitation, AOFAS, VAS exercise, RM scores, it was observed that the PRFA group was significantly advantageous in the early period (3 months), but no superiority of both treatments was observed in the long term (6 months, 1 year). As a result of our study, we can say that PRFA treatment is more effective for the first 3-month acute period and the return to work time is shorter than surgical treatment, but when the long-term results are compared, both treatments have similar functional results. We can say that PRFA treatment is superior to surgical treatment because it is more easily applicable, has a shorter operating time, allows early return to work, and has lower complication rates. Key Words: Calcaneal spur, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, PRFA, radiofrequency ablation.