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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. Design 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common symptom in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Palisade sacroiliac joint radiofrequency neurotomy (PSRN) is a novel treatment for the SIJ pain. In the current clinical trial, we treated AS patients with significant SIJ pain using PSRN under computed tomography guidance and compared the results with the celecoxib treatment. The current study included 155 AS patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive PSRN or celecoxib treatment (400 mg/day for 24 weeks). The primary endpoint was global pain intensity in visual analog scale, at week 12. Secondary endpoints included pain intensity at week 24, disease activity, functional and mobility capacities, and adverse events at week 24. In comparison with the baseline collected immediately prior to the interventions, global pain intensity was significantly lower at both 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment in both arms. Pain reduction was more robust in the PSRN arm (by more than 1.9 and 2.2 cm at 12 and 24 weeks in comparison with the celecoxib arm, P < 0.0001 for both). The PSRN was also more effective in improving physical function and spinal mobility ( P < 0.05 vs. celecoxib for both). Gastrointestional irritation was more frequent in the celecoxib arm than in the PSRN arm ( P < 0.05). No severe complications were noted in either arm. PSRN is both efficacious and safe in managing SIJ pain in patients with AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]