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Plantar FasciopathyNCT07120204

One Cause of Heel Pain is Plantar Fasciopathy (PF). In Most Cases, a Heel Spur is Frequently Present Alongside PF. We Aim to Evaluate the Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency Ablation, Along With Tissue Elasticity Assessed by Ultrasound, in Patients With Chronic Pain (≥6 Months).

A study testing Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency thermocoagulation in people with Plantar Fasciopathy and Chronic Pain, run by TC Erciyes University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Heel pain is common among adults. One cause of heel pain is plantar fasciopathy (PF). In most cases, a heel spur, a bony prominence that extends into the plantar fascia, is frequently present alongside PF. First-line treatments include pain-relieving drugs, home exercises, heel support peds, and physical therapy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 80 years
What is being tested?
Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency thermocoagulation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
15 Aug 2025to 15 Aug 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients with chronic (≥ 6 months) plantar fasciopathy
  • NRS score ≥ 4
  • Presence of a calcaneal spur detected by ultrasound (USG) or direct radiography
  • At least one of the following treatments has been administered:
  • Home exercise program
  • Physiotherapy
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Orthosis/prosthesis
  • NSAIDs
  • Night splint
  • Kinesio taping
  • Corticosteroid injection
  • Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Who cannot join

  • History of calcaneal trauma/fracture
  • Previous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment
  • Patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy
  • Inflammatory or degenerative arthropathies
  • Presence of diabetes
  • Pregnancy
Show all 15Show fewer
  • History of cancer
  • Peripheral neuropathy or ischemia
  • Open wound or signs of infection at the procedure site
  • Evidence of systemic infection
  • Patients using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents
  • Presence of an intracardiac defibrillator or pacemaker
  • Patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Patients who have received ESWT and/or corticosteroid injection within the last 3 months
  • Presence of heel pain due to lumbar radiculopathy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Ersin Sönmez, M.D. contact

+905370257858

ersinsonmez@erciyes.edu.tr

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi

    Kayseri, Talas

    Gülen Güler, Prof. Dr., M.D., +905327922484, gulen@erciyes.edu.tr

    Gülen Güler, Prof. Dr. M.D.

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Evaluation of Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Versus Corticosteroid Injection in Patients With Chronic Calcaneal Spur Related Plantar Fasciopathy Using Elastography and Foot Function Index

Heel pain is common among adults. One cause of heel pain is plantar fasciopathy (PF). In most cases, a heel spur, a bony prominence that extends into the plantar fascia, is frequently present alongside PF. First-line treatments include pain-relieving drugs, home exercises, heel support peds, and physical therapy. However, some patients can't get relief from these therapies, and the pain persists beyond six months. This situation is referred to as refractory chronic PF. Local treatments applied via skin puncture such as anti-inflamtory injection and destruction of nerves carrying pain signals to brain are warranted in these cases. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, along with tissue elasticity assessed by ultrasound, in patients with chronic pain (≥6 months).

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine which treatment-corticosteroid injection or radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation-is more effective for treating plantar fasciopathy in adults. It will also learn about the effects of the treatments on the properties of the heel tissue using ultrasound. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation have the same efficacy on pain and functionality for both short- and long-term? Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation similarly affect heel tissue? The researchers will investigate which of the corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency thermocoagulation is more effective for

Read the detailed description

Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is one of the most common causes of foot pain, accounting for approximately 10-15% of all cases. The plantar fascia originates from the calcaneus on the plantar surface of the foot and inserts into the proximal phalanges. It becomes tense while standing and provides support to the medial longitudinal arch. Although the pathophysiology of PF is not fully understood, repetitive mechanical overload is believed to cause microtears, particularly at the medial origin of the plantar fascia. Subsequent inflammation and degeneration may become chronic, and excessive traction at the medial calcaneus can lead to the formation of a bony outgrowth called a calcaneal spur. This bony protrusion may increase pain by causing inflammation, nerve compression, and atrophy of the heel fat pad. Approximately 67% of patients with PF present with a calcaneal spur.

Typically, patients complain of heel pain upon taking their first steps in the morning or after periods of rest, and during weight-bearing activities. On physical examination, tenderness is usually observed along the medial aspect of the heel, and pain is exacerbated with toe extension. Diagnosis is generally based on clinical history and physical examination. Ultrasound imaging can aid in diagnosis due to its rapid application and bedside availability. Conventional ultrasonography may reveal thickening of the plantar fascia, perifascial edema, hypoechoic areas within the fascia, and the presence of a calcaneal spur.

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a modern, non-invasive ultrasound modality that measures tissue stiffness and elasticity. Measuring the stiffness of the plantar fascia using SWE, along with B-mode parameters, can facilitate diagnosis. Moreover, it allows monitoring of structural changes in the fascia following treatment.

Treatment options for PF include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, orthotics, night splints, corticosteroid injections (CSIs), platelet-rich plasma injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). While corticosteroid injection may provide short-term pain relief, it is associated with risks, including alteration of connective tissue microstructure and fat pad atrophy. In RFA, continuous electrical current generates heat, leading to the destruction of nociceptive free nerve endings in the target area. RFA has been successfully used for decades in the management of lower back pain, head and facial pain, sympathetic chain ablation, and joint pain. Various studies have also supported its efficacy and safety in treating PF.

The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of RFA and CSI using the Foot Function Index (FFI) score at 6 months. The secondary aim is to assess pain scores and structural changes in the plantar fascia using SWE.

Being tested
Corticosteroid Injection, Radiofrequency thermocoagulation
Keywords
plantar fasciopathy, plantar fasciitis, randomized, radiofrequency thermal coagulation, RF, shear wave, elastography
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain, Fasciitis, Plantar

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Corticosteroid InjectionDrug

    The symptomatic foot will be prepared with povidone-iodine and draped in a sterile manner. A sterile-covered ultrasound probe will be placed over the heel to visualize the calcaneus, plantar fascia, and any calcaneal spur. Subsequently, 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg (KENACORT-A IM/Intra-articular Retard 40 mg ampoule) and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine (Aritmal 2% ampoule) will be injected over the plantar fascia.

  • Radiofrequency thermocoagulationProcedure or surgery

    The patient will be in the lateral decubitus position with the symptomatic foot below. The foot was prepared with povidone-iodine and draped under sterile conditions. A sterilized ultrasound probe was placed over the heel to visualize the calcaneus, plantar fascia, and calcaneal spur. A 10 cm long radiofrequency (RF) needle with a 5 mm active tip was advanced in-plane under ultrasound guidance toward the tip of the calcaneal spur. Sensory stimulation at 50 Hz elicited paresthesia in the medial calcaneus, while motor stimulation at 2 Hz did not produce any muscle contractions. The RF generator (Beijing Neo Science Co., RFE 4b) was set to 80 °C for 90 seconds, and the RFA procedure was initiated.

Study groups in NCT07120204
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Corticosteroid InjectionActive comparatorThe patient will be in the lateral decubitus position with the symptomatic foot below. The symptomatic foot will be prepared with povidone-iodine and draped in a sterile manner. A sterile-covered ultrasound probe will be placed over the heel to visualize the calcaneus, plantar fascia, and any calcaneal spur. Subsequently, 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg (KENACORT-A IM/Intra-articular Retard 40 mg ampoule) and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine (Aritmal 2% ampoule) will be injected over the plantar fascia.
Receives: Drug: Corticosteroid Injection
Radiofrequency ThermocoagulationActive comparatorThe patient will be in the lateral decubitus position with the symptomatic foot below. The foot was prepared with povidone-iodine and draped under sterile conditions. A sterilized ultrasound probe was placed over the heel to visualize the calcaneus, plantar fascia, and calcaneal spur. A 10 cm long radiofrequency (RF) needle with a 5 mm active tip was advanced in-plane under ultrasound guidance toward the tip of the calcaneal spur. Sensory stimulation at 50 Hz elicited paresthesia in the medial calcaneus, while motor stimulation at 2 Hz did not produce any muscle contractions. The RF generator (Beijing Neo Science Co., RFE 4b) was set to 80 °C for 90 seconds, and the RFA procedure was initiated.
Receives: Procedure: Radiofrequency thermocoagulation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Foot Function Index Score (FFI)

    FFI includes 23 11-point Likert-type questions about feet. The lowest score is 0, and the highest score is 100. A lower score is better.

    Measured: 6 months after treatment

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Numeric Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) Scores

    NRS-11 is an 11-point Likert-type scale that assesses pain severity. The lowest score is 0, and the highest score is 10. A lower score is better

    Measured: 6 months after treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Aug 2025
  2. Study start15 Aug 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion15 Aug 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Randomized, Open-Label Study
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07120204
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025/60
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
6 Aug 2025
Last updated
13 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Deindividualized data will be shared upon reasonable request.

Publications

  • Neufeld SK, Cerrato R. Plantar fasciitis: evaluation and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 Jun;16(6):338-46. doi: 10.5435/00124635-200806000-00006.

    PubMed 18524985

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency thermocoagulation in people with Plantar Fasciopathy and Chronic Pain, run by TC Erciyes University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Ersin Sönmez, M.D. (+905370257858, ersinsonmez@erciyes.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Foot Function Index Score (FFI) (time frame: 6 months after treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07120204, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Aug 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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