Radiofrequency denervation of the medial calcaneal nerve in plantar fasciitis: a clinical case report
https://doi.org/10.18705/3034-7270-2025-1-3-76-82
EDN: HQDIAA
Abstract
The aim of this study was to present the long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis that is refractory to conservative therapy, using the method of radiofrequency denervation. Randomized and multicenter studies indicate that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation helps reduce operative time and improve postoperative recovery outcomes in patients with chronic heel pain syndrome. However, there are currently no standardized guidelines for the surgical management of plantar fasciitis. This article presents the results of surgical treatment in a female patient operated on at the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology during the period from 2024 to 2025. The results demonstrate the absence of pain recurrence. No postoperative complications were observed. Radiofrequency denervation of the medial calcaneal branch of the tibial nerve under ultrasound guidance may be considered an effective and minimally invasive method for the surgical treatment of plantar fasciitis refractory to conservative therapy.
Supporting agencies: This study was not supported by any external sources of funding
About the Authors
D. G. Agafonov
Saint-Petersburg State Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Agafonov Daniil G. – Traumatologist-Orthopedist, Junior Researcher.
St. Petersburg
G. A. Airapetov
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba; City Clinical Hospital No. 31 of the Moscow Health Department
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Airapetov Georgy A. – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba; Deputy Chief Physician for Traumatology and Orthopedics, CCH No. 31 of the Moscow Health Department.
Moscow
M. S. Serdobintsev
Saint-Petersburg State Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Serdobintsev Mikhail S. – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher.
St. Petersburg
D. G. Naumov
Saint-Petersburg State Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Naumov Denis G. – Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Deputy Director for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Leading Researcher.
St. Petersburg
References
1. Motley T. Plantar fasciitis/fasciosis. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2021 Apr;38(2):193–200.
2. Dzhadaev S.I. An integrated approach to the treatment of plantar fasciitis based on the use of a medical vibration platform: avtoref. of the dissertation of the Candidate of Medical Sciences, Moscow, 2024, 24 p. (In Russ.).
3. Noriega D.C., Cristo Á., León A., et al. Plantar fasciitis in soccer players — a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):14426. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114426.
4. Latt L.D., Jaffe D.E., Tang Y., et al. Evaluation and treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020;5(1):2473011419896763. DOI: 10.1177/2473011419896763.
5. Sajja S., Elahi N., Ganti L. Plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e51242. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51242.
6. Mohseni M., Mousavi E., Alebouyeh M.R. Key considerations when targeting a heel spur. Anesth Pain Med. 2023;13(5):e139326. DOI: 10.5812/aapm-139326.
7. Graham C.E. Painful heel syndrome: rationale of treatment and diagnosis. Foot Ankle. 1983;3:5. DOI: 10.1177/107110078300300504.
8. Bassiouni M. Incidence of calcaneal spurs in osteo-arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and in control patients. Ann Rheum Dis. 1965;24:490–493. DOI: 10.1136/ard.24.5.490.
9. Shama S.S., Kominsky S.J., Lemont H. Prevalence of nonpainful heel spur and its relation to postural foot position. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1983;73:122–123. DOI: 10.7547/87507315-73-3-122.
10. Buchbinder R. Clinical practice. Plantar fasciitis. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(21):2159–2166. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp032745.
11. Valizadeh M.A., Afshar A., Hassani E., et al. Relationship between anthropometric findings and results of corticosteroid injections treatment in chronic plantar heel pain. Anesth Pain Med. 2018;8(1):e64357. DOI: 10.5812/aapm.64357.
12. Kirkpatrick J., Yassaie O., Mirjalili S.A. The plantar calcaneal spur: a review of anatomy, histology, etiology and key associations. J Anat. 2017;230(6):743–751. DOI: 10.1111/joa.12607.
13. Patel A., DiGiovanni B. Association between plantar fasciitis and isolated contracture of the gastrocnemius. Foot Ankle Int. 2011;32(1):5–8. DOI: 10.3113/FAI.2011.0005.
14. Riddle D.L., Pulisic M., Pidcoe P., et al. Risk factors for plantar fasciitis: a matched case-control study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85(5):872–877. DOI: 10.2106/00004623-200305000-00015.
15. Koc T.A.Jr., Bise C.G., Neville C., et al. Heel pain—plantar fasciitis: revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(12):CPG1–CPG39. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2023.0303.
16. Airapetov G.A., Agafonov D.G., Serdobintsev M.S. and others. Ideas about the clinic, diagnosis and complex treatment of plantar fasciitis: a review of the literature. Bulletin of Restorative Medicine. 2024;(23):49–56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2024-23-2-49-56. (In Russ.).
17. Yuan Y., Qian Y., Lu H., et al. Comparison of the therapeutic outcomes between open plantar fascia release and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of intractable plantar fasciitis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2020;15(1):55. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-020-1582-2.
18. Kuleshov A.A., Darchia L.Yu. Radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of vertebrogenic pain syndrome. Moscow: Megapolis, 2019, 232 p. (In Russ.).
Review
For citations:
Agafonov D.G., Airapetov G.A., Serdobintsev M.S., Naumov D.G. Radiofrequency denervation of the medial calcaneal nerve in plantar fasciitis: a clinical case report. Russian surgical journal. 2025;1(3):76-82. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18705/3034-7270-2025-1-3-76-82. EDN: HQDIAA
Views:
35
Email this article 